Hi Leffingwell Families,
I am thrilled and honored to announce that Leffingwell has been named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School for being an Exemplary High Performing School. Leffingwell was previously named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2017 for being an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School. So…We DID IT…AGAIN! We are BLUE x 2! Leffingwell was one of only 33 schools in California (out of over 10,000 schools) and one of only 353 in the U.S. (out of over 130,000 schools) to win this prestigious award this year.
I am so proud of our school, our District for the support they provide, our students for their hard work, our staff for their dedication to helping our students reach their potential, our PTA & families for their support and partnership, and our entire Leffingwell community. Each has played a part in creating and maintaining the AWESOME culture we have at Leffingwell. Our staff has worked so hard during the years to keep kids #1, make school fun and engaging while maintaining high academic standards. Way to go Leffingwell!
See the press releases below from the U.S. Department of Education and the California Department of Education about this year’s National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Blackwell
Principal
-----U.S. Department of Education Press Release-----
The U.S. Department of Education today recognized 353 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.
“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”
With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background.
While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
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Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
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Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent 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.
https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/2023-announcement/
-----California Department of Education Press Release----
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today congratulated 33 California schools that have been chosen as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that close achievement and opportunity gaps and where students achieve high learning standards.
“Congratulations to our outstanding Blue Ribbon Schools, where academic excellence and unwavering support for every one of our students is exceptional,” Thurmond said. “Your commitment to fostering an inclusive and exceptional learning environment exemplifies the true essence of education. Your dedication inspires us all, and we celebrate your remarkable achievement.”
Schools are recognized based on the school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing opportunity gaps among student subgroups. The recognized schools are among the state’s highest performing based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates.
The award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. With its fortieth cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools.
Public schools are nominated by top education officials in each state, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education. More information about the program is available on the U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Schools web page
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