News Summary
Four schools in Connecticut have been awarded Blue Ribbon designations for their outstanding achievements in student learning. Despite the recent termination of the federal honors program, the recognition underscores the commitment of these institutions to academic excellence. The schools recognized include House of Arts, Letters, and Science Academy, Gildersleeve School, Green Acres Elementary School, and Weston Intermediate School. Education officials emphasize the importance of celebrating success in public education, calling it a source of pride for the state.
Connecticut
Four schools in Connecticut have been awarded Blue Ribbon designations, honoring their significant achievements in student learning, despite the recent termination of the federal program that oversaw the honors. The recognition comes at a time when education officials are emphasizing the importance of celebrating excellence in public education.
Recognized Schools
The four schools that received the Blue Ribbon honors are:
- House of Arts, Letters, and Science (HALS) Academy in New Britain
- Gildersleeve School in Portland
- Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven
- Weston Intermediate School in Weston
These institutions were recognized in two categories: Exemplary High-Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. Notably, three out of the four recognized schools achieved honors in both categories.
State Response
The acknowledgment of these schools is a point of pride for state education officials. The Vice Chair of the State Board of Education expressed pride in the achievements of the recognized schools, highlighting their commitment to student success. Following the announcement, Governor Ned Lamont noted that despite the federal program’s end under the Trump administration in August 2023, the state will continue to honor schools recognized by the federal Department of Education.
Recognition Process
The schools were selected based on data from Connecticut’s next-generation accountability system, which evaluates student success through a comprehensive approach, going beyond mere test scores. This system takes into account various indicators of student learning and school performance.
Impact of Funding on Schools
In the context of Gildersleeve School, local Superintendent emphasized the positive effects of the School Improvement Grant, which provided additional staffing and resources that contributed to improved educational outcomes and ultimately aided in securing the Blue Ribbon recognition.
Additional Celebrations
Future acknowledgments include a visit from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, which received its own Blue Ribbon recognition in the category for Closing Achievement Gaps. Cardona, who has a background in Connecticut’s education system and is a native of Meriden, plans to celebrate this significant achievement with the staff and students of Israel Putnam Elementary.
Historical Context
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program has been a prestigious recognition for schools across the United States, designed to highlight excellence in education and student achievement. However, the program’s cessation created uncertainty regarding future acknowledgments. The recent honors from Connecticut spotlight the continued excellence within the state’s education landscape, showcasing the necessity for support and celebration of public schools amid federal cuts.
As the educational community moves forward, officials stress the importance of recognizing academic excellence, not just for the awarded schools, but as a motivational factor for all institutions striving for improvement in educational outcomes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tempe Faces School Closures Due to Funding Issues
Glendale Students Express Disappointment Over Blue Ribbon Cancellation
Additional Resources
- CT News Junkie
- Wikipedia: Blue Ribbon Schools Program
- CT Insider
- Google Search: Blue Ribbon Schools Connecticut
- WFSB
- Google Scholar: Connecticut education awards
- Fox 61
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- CT Post
- Google News: Connecticut schools recognition
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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
