U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced Monday recipients of the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools award, one of the most prestigious awards in education.
This year’s 356 National Blue Ribbon Schools included four Mississippi schools in counties from the coast to the northern corners of the state:
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Mannsdale Upper Elementary School, Madison County School District
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Magnolia Park Elementary School, Ocean Springs School District
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Ripley High School, South Tippah School District
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Stone Elementary School, Stone County School District
How are schools chosen?
The U.S. Department of Education created the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program in 1982 to highlight the academic achievements of elementary, middle and high schools, both private and public.
Up to 420 schools can be nominated each year, and each school has to submit a comprehensive application with data including assessment results and graduation rates. The nominees are not judged on data alone. Each application also includes examples of the school’s culture and community involvement.
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For public schools, the state’s top education official submits the yearly nominations. For private schools, the nominations are chosen by the Council for American Private Education.
Each blue ribbon winner is categorized as one or both of two labels: Exemplary High Performing School and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools.
Mannsdale Upper Elementary
Mannsdale Upper Elementary, opened in 2016, was one of 227 elementary schools on this year’s list. The Madison school was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.
In a press release regarding the award, Mannsdale Upper Elementary Principal Nicole Cockrell said she is excited to be included on this year’s list.
“The teachers, students and staff have worked diligently since the school’s opening to build citizens of excellence,” Cockrell said. “This distinction confirms that building relationships and teaching with heart matter.”
Madison County Schools Superintendent Ted Poore expressed similar sentiments in the press release.
“We are thrilled to see the hard work and dedication of our faculty, administrators, students, families and community recognized with such an honor,” Poore said. “This award lets everyone across America know what we have known for years: that Mannsdale Upper Elementary is among the very best in the nation.”
See how schools ranked in MDE grades: Mississippi school grades are in for 2023-2024. See the scores here
Magnolia Park Elementary
Magnolia Park Elementary’s win marks the second time the school has won a blue ribbon award. The school also won in 2001. The Ocean Springs school was recognized this year as an Exemplary High Performing School.
In a press release regarding the achievement, Magnolia Park Elementary Principal Alison Graham said the award is a testament to the hard work of teachers and students.
“Just to be nominated for this award is a tremendous honor, but to be named as one of the awardees is a phenomenal achievement and could not have been possible without our students, staff and supportive community,” Graham said.
Stone Elementary School
Stone Elementary School, recognized as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School, posted on Facebook Tuesday thanking parents, community members, staff and Wiggins Mayor Darrell Berry for steadfast support.
“This award belongs to every member of our SES family,” the Facebook post states. “Together, we’ve created something truly special, and we are so proud of what we’ve accomplished as a community.”
Ripley High School
Ripley High School, the only Mississippi high school honored on this year’s list, was one of 63 high schools chosen.
In a post on X, formally Twitter, Ripley High School said the accomplishment is an honor especially since only four schools in Mississippi were chosen.
Earlier this month, the Mississippi Department of Education released their yearly accountability grades. All four Mississippi schools named 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools also received an A rating for the MDE 2024 accountability grades.
Later this fall, the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools will be recognized in an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and each school will receive a plaque and flag commemorating the honor.
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This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools include four Mississippi schools
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