Six Maryland Public Schools Named 2016-17 State Blue Ribbon Honorees
December 5, 2016
Program Spotlights High Achievement, Improvement
BALTIMORE, MD – Six Maryland public schools today were selected as 2016-17 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.
The schools are:
• Shipley’s Choice Elementary School, Anne Arundel County
• Sunderland Elementary School, Calvert County
• Centerville Elementary School, Frederick County
• Manor Woods Elementary School, Howard County
• Ronald McNair Elementary School, Montgomery County
• Farmland Elementary School, Montgomery County
“The Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools represent the thoughtful work taking place at public schools throughout our State, as they prepare students for the next grade or the next step in life,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “When schools succeed at this level it is a tribute to all: students, teachers, administrators, and community members. They all deserve our congratulations and admiration.”
The schools are recognized on the basis of rigorous State and national requirements for high achievement and significant improvement. The students in each of these schools are high achievers in reading and mathematics, and several have a significant number of disadvantaged students.
The schools will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education to apply to be National Blue Ribbon Schools. With underwriting and gift sponsor support, each school will receive a Maryland Blue Ribbon Flag, a monetary prize, $1000 of office supplies, interactive technology equipment, and a school Congratulations Party. A dinner in Annapolis will be held in honor of the winning schools on March 13, 2017. On that date, each Blue Ribbon School will be honored by the Maryland House of Delegates and the Senate.
Maryland underwriting sponsors are BGE, Comcast, and NTA Life. Gift sponsors are: Dimension U, Lifetouch Studios, Mrs. Fields/Joe Corbis Pizza; Rudolph’s Office Supply; and SMART Technologies, Inc.
MD BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL 2016-2017
Frederick County – Centerville Elementary School – Tracy Hilliard, Principal
Centerville Elementary with over 1000 students, had PARCC proficiency scores of 82.4 percent in math and 77 percent in English/language arts. It is the 2015-2016 top fundraiser for Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Hearts in Frederick County and 15th in the state with a $22,000 donation to the American Heart Association. Students exemplify what a star scholar should be each day by displaying Star Pride and they are celebrated during an assembly in front of parents and peers. Our Star Staff members participate in a Helping Hoops basketball game to collect food for the local foodbank. During the 2016 Helping Hoops campaign, the students and staff contributed well over 5000 food and hygiene items. The schoolyard garden produces crops that are harvested by the students and donated to the local foodbank and shelters. The staff challenges the students with the MakerSpace Club, Coding Club, Book Club, STEM Club, and Track club.
