Kyrene Traditional Academy/Sureño Campus has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2015, one of 335 such institutions selected nationwide.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized the selected schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
“We are very proud of the Kyrene Traditional Academy and the work (Principal) Dr. Marianne Lescher has done with her community in creating a Blue Ribbon school,” said Kyrene Superintendent Dr. David K. Schauer.
The prestigious program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing an achievement gap.
The award affirms the work of students, educators, families and communities to create safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content, said Schauer.
An awards flag displayed on the campus of winning schools is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
KTA’s recognition places it among the state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years.
Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels, noted Schauer.
Said Lescher:
“Our teachers and I are extremely proud of our efforts in working with all students to meet rigorous standards for success so that all…are meeting and exceeding expectations.”
Lescher will travel to Washington, D.C., in November to attend the recognition ceremony honoring the 285 public and 50 private schools who received the Blue Ribbon designation.
In its 33-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed the coveted award on more than 8,000 of America’s schools.
Information: www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.
