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New Berlin's Elmwood Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School
NEW BERLIN - Elmwood Elementary School in New Berlin was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School this year, along with just nine other Wisconsin schools.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 342 schools nationwide as Blue Ribbon Schools on Sept. 28. The recongition is based on schools' overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among different student subgroups.
Elmwood was recognized for being one of the "exemplary high performing schools."
“This is a tremendous accomplishment and we could not be more proud of (Principal) Mrs. (Kathy) Williams, (Vice Principal) Mrs. (Jaime) Veal, the Elmwood staff and students, and the families that support their efforts,” Superintendent Joe Garza said. “It is an honor that Elmwood has certainly earned.”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's School Accountability Report Card released last November, Elmwood received a score of 96.5, which "significantly exceeds" the states expectations. This score put Elmbrook in the top five elementary schools in Wisconsin.
The school enrolls approximately 560 students.
Elmwood was one of the eight public elementary schools that State Superintendent Tony Evers nominated for the Blue Ribbon award last January. It is the third school in the School District of New Berlin to earn the award, along with Eisenhower Middle/High School and the former Prospect Hill Elementary School.
On Nov. 6-7, Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education will celebrate this year's Blue Ribbon Schools at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
“National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future,” DeVos said to the honorees, according to a press release. “You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program began in 1982 to recognize the best schools in the United States and help facilitate communication about the best practices in public schools. Since its inception, more than 8,500 school have been recognized.