Redwater Junior High has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.
Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year.
The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among its student subgroups.
The Education Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on overall student scores, and by student subgroup scores and graduation rates:
- Exemplary High Performing Schools. These are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. These are among their state's highest-performing in closing achievement gaps between a school's student groups and all students.
"We are honored by this national recognition and to say we are proud of our staff, students, principal and community is a tremendous understatement," Superintendent Kelly Burns said. "The education of our youth is the single most important task in our society and at Redwater Junior High, we truly focus on 'Every Student, Every Day' keeping standards high. Congratulations and Thank You to our Junior High teachers and staff, Mrs. Kim Cody, Principal, Mrs. Lee Ann Corbin, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, our Board of Trustees and all our students! It is another Great Day to Be a Dragon."
The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13.