Up to 420 schools can be nominated each year to be recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. This year, six Georgia public schools — including three in Cobb County — brought home the honor.
According to information from State School Superintendent Richard Woods, Sope Creek Elementary School and Tritt Elementary School — both in the Cobb County School District, and Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, of Marietta City Schools, were named 2019 Blue Ribbons recipients. They were joined by: Daves Creek Elementary School, Forsyth County Schools; Pierce County High School, Pierce County Schools; and CT Walker Traditional Elementary School, Richmond County Schools
“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to these six excellent public schools on this national recognition,” said Superintendent Woods , “and my gratitude to each educator within them who has worked hard to open up opportunities and create an environment where every student can learn.”
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes schools in two performance categories:
• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.
Four Georgia private schools also received the National Blue Ribbon recognition: Hancock Day School in Savannah, Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Atlanta, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School in Atlanta, and Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell. The selection process for private schools differs from the process for public schools.
