From the Desk of Principal Martin:
I am honored to announce that Columbiana South Side Middle School has been named a 2024 Blue Ribbon School. Through the collective work of each of you, we meet students where they are. I appreciate each of you and your daily efforts to help our students find success, providing high expectations while also offering comfort and a positive school culture in which all students can thrive.
I want to congratulate and thank you for the outstanding work you and our school community have done to gain this recognition. It is my honor to welcome your school into the family of National Blue Ribbon Schools. Columbiana South Side Middle School in Columbiana Exempted Village has been designated an Exemplary High Performing Schools National Blue Ribbon School for 2024 by the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona. Your school is one of 356 schools nationwide and one of 14 schools from Ohio to be recognized in 2024. At 1:00 this afternoon, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized these 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”
The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.
A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.
The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:
• Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.
You can read more about this honor at:
See this year's winners, including Columbiana South Side Middle School: https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/
View the below profile at:
https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/24oh114pu_columbiana_south_side_middle_school.html
National Press Release is below:
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of
National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in
academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different
student groups.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of
students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel
Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students,
serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and
communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as
we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”
The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and
serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they
share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear
vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching
methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a
hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among
families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.
A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a
widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models
of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.
The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment
results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or
either of two performance categories:
• Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in
their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing
achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture,
programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and
community involvement.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the
National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of
Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of
Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private
Education.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2024 National Blue Ribbon
Schools are available at https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/.
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