This week, the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) designated Golda Meir Lower School as a finalist for the coveted 2018 National Blue Ribbon School Award. The US Department of Education will now review the nominations of all finalist schools and awards will be announced in September.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was created thirty-five years ago by Education Secretary Terrel H. Bell for the purpose of recognizing outstanding public and non-public schools. The program identifies schools with exemplary practices and the highest levels of student achievement. Blue Ribbon Schools are held up as a model for other schools nationally.
The award specifically seeks to recognize schools which demonstrate:
High standardized achievement test scores;
Leaders who not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards but who stay close to the real action of teaching and learning;
Mutual respect and trust that runs deep in the school culture;
Faculty that are supported by mentoring and professional development and have time to coordinate their work;
Data from many sources that is used to drive adaptations to support every student; and,
Families and educators who work together in trust.
Being named as a finalist is, in and of itself, something in which we take great pride – and we hope you do too! Should GMLS be named as a winner of the Blue Ribbon School Award, two GMLS representatives will be flown to Washington DC in November where GMLS will be recognized on a national stage and where we will have the opportunity to network and learn with other award-winning schools.
