Five schools from across the state are among 337 campuses named Tuesday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2014 by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
The schools are being honored in the 32-year-old national recognition program for either their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing the achievement gap between subgroups of students.
The newly named Blue Ribbon Schools -- 287 public schools and 50 private schools -- will be honored by the U.S. Department of Education at ceremonies Nov. 10-11 in Washington, D.C.
"These great schools are fulfilling the promise of American education -- that all students, no matter their name or zip code, can flourish when schools provide safe, creative and challenging learning environments," Duncan said in announcing the campuses.
"National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of consistent excellence and a resource for other schools and districts," he added. "We celebrate them for their tireless effort and boundless creativity in reaching and teaching every student."
The Arkansas schools, their school districts and their principals are:
• Centerpoint Primary School, Centerpoint School District in Glenwood, Rodney Whitfield.
• Eastside Elementary School, Rogers School District, Robin Wilkerson.
• M.A. Hardin Elementary School, White Hall School District, Jeff Glover.
• Norfork Elementary School, Norfork School District, Stacey Bradbury.
• St. Joseph Catholic School in Fayetteville, Catholic Diocese of Little Rock, Jason Pohlmeier.
All four of the Arkansas public schools were recognized as being exemplary high performing schools. In each of those four schools, 40 percent or more of the student body is considered to be economically disadvantaged. None of the Arkansas-winning schools were recognized for closing the achievement gap between student subgroups.
The schools are selected from among some 420 nominations from the top education official in the state and other jurisdictions such as the District of Columbia and the Bureau of Indian Education.
The Council for American Private Education nominates the private schools. The U.S. Education Secretary then invites the nominated schools to submit an application for the Blue Ribbon award.
Metro on 10/01/2014