MIAMI VALLEY — Two area schools are among nearly 300 schools in the country being recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Oakwood Junior High School and Versailles Elementary School are two of the 13 schools in Ohio to receive the recognition from the Department of Education.
The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, according to the Department of Education.
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“As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said.
The Department of Educations said the schools recognized “serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators.”
Dr. Kyle Ramey, Oakwood Schools Superintendent, said the district was proud to be recognized.
“This award is a testament to the focused efforts of our students, the dedication and professionalism of our staff, and the unwavering support and partnership of our families,” Ramey said in a release.
Oakwood Junior High School was nominated in February by the Ohio Department of Education for being one of the state’s highest performing schools on state assessment completed in spring 2021.
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“To be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School based on our student learning and growth through the first year of the pandemic is an amazing reflection of the tireless efforts of our educators, the fervent support of our families, and the deep investment of our seventh and eighth graders. We have always been inspired by our students, and they are absolutely deserving of this honor,” Tim Badenhop, Oakwood Junior High principal, said.
Versailles Superintendent Aaron Moran said the award is a “reflection of the dedication and hard work” pf the students and staff over the last three years.
“I am particularly proud of the focus and improvement to instruction made by staff to grow our students to reach their potential. We as a district will continue to strive to improve our instructional practices and opportunities for the success of each of our students,” Moran said.
National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.