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Press Release

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

DOE Press Office
(850) 245-0413

Florida’s Blue Ribbon Schools Honored at Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

National program recognizes schools for outstanding academic achievements

Tallahassee – Four Florida public schools were recognized during a ceremony today in Washington, D.C. for their selection into the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Blue Ribbon Schools (BRS) program. The BRS program recognizes schools that were either academically superior or demonstrated dramatic gains in overall student achievement in both reading and mathematics. Representatives from each school were presented with a plaque and a flag signifying their NCLB-Blue Ribbon School status.

“My most sincere congratulations go out to each of these schools for earning this national honor,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “There is no doubt that they have put forth tremendous effort to create a culture of learning filled with opportunities for all students to reach their full potential.”

The BRS program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, selected schools based on one of two criteria: 1) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; and 2) Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests.

The four Florida public schools that received this recognition are:

  • Avalon Elementary School, Orange County School District
  • Mater Academy East Charter, Miami-Dade County School District
  • Ocean Breeze Elementary, Brevard County School District
  • Virginia Shuman Young Elementary, Broward County School District

For more information about the BRS program, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.