George Washington Carver Elementary is currently the highest scoring elementary school in Richmond, Virginia, and the seventh highest in the state. Founded in 1886 and named for the botanist and inventor (1860-1843), the school was originally segregated; today it continues to serve a predominantly African American student body and, until recently, was considered an underperforming school.

Dr. Kiwana Yates arrived at Carver in 2010 as Assistant Principal and was named Principal in 2012. Building on the work of an earlier turnaround specialist, Dr. Yates catalyzed the change that Carver needed. High expectations, standards-based instruction, teacher collaboration, and a close examination of student data shaped the academic approach. Supports for students include resources from a non-profit agency and a one-to-one mentoring program for all students in grades 1 through 5.

Read a transcript of Data, Diligence, and Drive.

Read Carver Elementary’s 2016 National Blue Ribbon School application.

Contact Information

Dr. Kiwana Yates, Principal

1110 West Leigh Street

Richmond, VA 23220-3142

(804) 780-6247

Website: http://www.richmondpublicschools.k12.va.us

Email: [email protected]

Student Demographics 2016

Number of students PreK - 5

560

Students eligible for subsidized meals

98%

Limited English Proficient students

1%

Students receiving special ed services

15%

White students

1%

African American students

94%

Hispanic or Latino students

2%

Students of 2 or more races

2%

Asian

1%

Student mobility rate 

17%

About five years ago, the community of Deerfield, Illinois, came together to anticipate the educational needs of future generations. Alan Shepard Middle School has led the way. First converting the junior high school to the more student-centered middle school model, leaders at Shepard then expanded students’ encore options (as distinct from core—math, ELA, science, and social studies—classes) to include the kinds of sophisticated technologies students were likely to encounter in the workplace.

Principal John Filippi explains the thinking behind these changes and teachers, coaches, and facilitators describe how they work and benefit students.

Read the transcript of High Tech Makes Learning Personal.

Read Alan Shepard Middle School’s NBRS application.

 

Contact Information

Dr. John Filippi, Principal

440 Grove Place

Deerfield, IL 60015-4219

(847) 948-0620

Website: http://shepard.dps109.org/

Email: [email protected]

Student Demographics 2016

Number of students K - 5

513

Students eligible for subsidized meals

1%

Limited English Proficient students

1%

Students receiving special ed services

15%

White students

88%

African American students

1%

Hispanic or Latino students

5%

Students of 2 or more races

3%

Asian

3%

Average student daily attendance

97%

This interview is with Darla Strouse, NBRS Maryland liaison. She reflects on the value of recognition programs and describes ways that Maryland celebrates National Blue Ribbon Schools.

National Blue Ribbon School recognition propelled Elgin Middle School into the news--for all the right reasons.

Read the transcript of Benefits of the Blue Ribbon Award.

Read Elgin Middle School's National Blue Ribbon Schools application.

Contact Information

Current Principal: Chris Garner

Former Principal: Sammy Jackson (2003-2011)

Elgin Middle School

Highway 17 and Mighty Owl Avenue

Elgin, OK 73538-0369

Telephone: (580) 492-3655

Web site/URL: http://elginms.sharpschool.net/

E-mail: [email protected];   [email protected]

Student Demographics

516 Students, 5 - 8 (2010-2011 school year)

White

72%

Hispanic or Latino

8%

Black or African American

3%

Asian

1%

Student mobility rate during the past year

14%

Students with Limited English Proficiency

0%

Students eligible for subsidized meals

43%

Students Receiving Special Education Services

13%

 

 The success of John Wash derives, in part, from grade-level Professional Learning Communities that use assessment results to guide instruction and intervention. Essential standards are assessed through summative, district-wide, and grade-level assessments administered three times a year as well as weekly, formative grade-level assessments created by each PLC. Teams share accountability for all students’ success and support each other in resolving instructional challenges. Read the transcript of Professional Learning Communities Powered by Data. Return to the general introduction to John S. Wash Elementary School. 

Contact Information

John S. Wash Elementary School

6350 East Lane

Fresno, CA 93727-5732

Phone (559) 524-6320, Fax (559) 251-2643

http://www.sanger.k12.ca.us

Student Demographics

2009-2010 Academic Year

Demographic Feature

Data

Number of Students K-6

737

Students eligible for subsidized meals

63%

Limited English proficient students

31%

Students receiving special education services

 4%

Asian students

41%

Hispanic students

38%

White students

16%

African American students

 2%

Students of two or more races

 3%

Average teacher turnover, last 5 years

 3%

Student:Teacher ratio

 23:1

 

This interview is with Keisha Ford-Jenrette, NBRS Georgia liaison. She stresses the importance of recognizing schools that are making great improvements as well as high-achieving schools.

Deer Park Environmental Science Magnet Elementary School (Newport News, VA) seeks to develop engaged students who bring their learning to life through caring for the environment. Immersing students in critical STEM explorations both on campus and off, Deer Park is home to more than 50 animal habitats. Each classroom hosts at least one habitat, teaching students the basics of caring. In addition to a science-intensive outdoor learning space, external partnerships with the Elizabeth River Restoration Project and the Virginia Living Museum give students further hands-on experience in environmental stewardship and restoration. This video created by Newport News Public Schools highlights some student activities.

Download the transcript of Deer Park transcript.

Download the Deer Park ES application.

Learn more about Deer Park Elementary School.

Contact Information

Mary Jo Anastasio, Principal

11541 Jefferson Avenue

Newport News, VA 23601-1930

(757) 591-7470

Website: http://deerpark.nn.k12.va.us/

Email: [email protected]

Student Demographics 2016

Number of students K - 5

526

Students eligible for subsidized meals

42%

Limited English Proficient students

7%

Students receiving special ed services

4%

Student mobility rate

2%

White students

46%

African American students

34%

Hispanic or Latino students

9%

Students of 2 or more races

7%

Average student daily attendance

97%

This interview is with Joe McTighe, Executive Director of CAPE, who describes CAPE’s role in nominating exemplary non-public schools for National Blue Ribbon School recognition and affirms the importance of honoring outstanding educators.

Ohio liaison Sherry Panizo discusses how her state brings evidence of National Blue Ribbon Schools to bear on discussions of raising achievement in low-performing schools.

 

Sherry Panizo Interview Transcript

 

For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.

This interview is with Florida liaison, Lindsay Douglas, Douglas links her investment in the program to her own experience of graduating from a school that later won NBRS recognition.