Four schools that use educational programs created by the Success for All Foundation (SFA) recently were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017. The award recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. For information, go to:
https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html
The U.S. Department of Education recognized 342 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017 based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. These schools demonstrate that all students can achieve at high levels. The Department will formally recognize the 292 public and 50 private schools at an awards ceremony at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. on November 6 and 7, 2017.
"We are extremely proud of the faculty and students at these schools," said Dr. Nancy Madden, President of Success for All Foundation. "These schools show that every child can learn, when their school community works together relentlessly. All of these schools serve very diverse communities. Ensuring success for every child demands that the staff hold each other accountable for high quality implementation of proven instructional strategies. Their commitment to their students shows."
The four schools are:
Colliers Elementary in Colliers, West Virginia
Colliers Primary School is a West Virginia School of Excellence, a Title 1 Distinguished School and most recently, one of only 45 schools in West Virginia to receive the grade of "A" in West Virginia's A-F Accountability System. They have been a Success for All school since the beginning of the 2013 school year.
This small rural school is nestled in the foothills of the state's northern panhandle. The school serves students from both the rural areas of the county and those students who reside in the downtown city of Weirton. Their population reflects the community with 89 percent White, 6 percent African-American, 4 percent Mixed Race, and 1 percent Hispanic. The greatest diversity is the socioeconomics of the students.
East Garfield Elementary in Wellsville, Ohio
East Garfield Elementary has been a Success for All school since the beginning of the 2000/2001 school year. In 2008, they had 59 percent of their students reading at or above grade level. They are now up to 86 percent as of last spring. It is through their intentional planning and use of the SFA reading and math curriculum; systems built to support the other areas that impact learning (attendance, behavior, parent involvement); professional development and coaching of staff as well as a strong sense of leadership support – from the district level down to the classrooms, that combined made their successes possible.
Their school community is made up of economically disadvantaged families.
Eisenhower Elementary in Junction City, Kansas
Eisenhower Elementary started using SFA in 2006. They have had the challenge of managing with limited resources (staff), but still show amazing achievement for their students. Eisenhower is designated as a Title 1 school which means they have had increasing number of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch (low SES – Socio-Economic Status). The school has been dealing with ever-shifting populations of students with the number of low SES students increasing every year.
Sheridan Elementary in Junction City, Kansas
Sheridan Elementary started using SFA in 2006. The school is designated as a Title 1 school. Sheridan has been dealing with ever-shifting populations of student with the number of low SES students increasing every year. The school deals amazingly with an influx of ELL (English Language Learners) students and students whose primary language is English but have extremely limited vocabularies. The SFA early intervention programs definitely have been leveraged to increase reading and background knowledge and vocabulary. All of this has been done without the aid of extra help in the classroom. Teachers have utilized program elements to meet those students' needs.
About The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
About Success for All Foundation
Founded in 1987, the nonprofit Success for All Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every child, from pre-kindergarten to grade 8, becomes proficient in reading and learning – opening up new doors for a lifetime of achievement. Not only has SFA been proven time and again to help with student reading ability and math performance, it also addresses non-academic concerns, improving behavior, attendance, and parental involvement.
For more information about Success for All, go to successforall.org.
