New Rockford-Sheyenne Elementary nominated for 2019 Blue Ribbon Schools

On Jan. 22, Superintendent Jill Louters received notice that New Rockford-Sheyenne Elementary School was one of three North Dakota schools nominated for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program by State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler.

According to Louters, the school was nominated as an exemplary high performing school for its overall academic excellence. Primary eligibility for the award is based on state assessment results, where the school’s scores must be in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state overall and in the top 40 percent for identified student subgroups.

School officials will now complete a comprehensive application and submit it to the U.S. Department of Education this spring. Up to 420 schools nationwide are nominated to apply each year. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will announce all the Blue Ribbon School award winners in September.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school’s building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. The program began in 1982 and has recognized 8,800 school districts over the past 36 years.

Last year Central Valley School in Buxton, Freedom Elementary in Fargo and Richland Elementary School in Abercrombie received the designation.