U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized three Delaware schools;National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Seaford School District’s Frederick Douglass Elementary School, Caesar Rodney School District’s Allen Frear Elementary School, and Christina School District’s Etta J. Wilson Elementary School are among the 317 public and 50 non-public schools that are receiving the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools award.

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” DeVos said. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.  Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates:

·  Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

· Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

While there will not be an opportunity to celebrate in person given the current situation regarding COVID-19, the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually November 12 and 13 for the school honorees, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.

Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

A listing of all National Blue Ribbon Schools in Delaware:

Frederick Douglass Elementary School (Seaford School District) 2020

Allen Frear Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2020

Etta J. Wilson Elementary School (Christina School District) 2020

Charter School of Wilmington (Charter, Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2019
Delaware Military Academy (Charter, Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2019
West Park Place Elementary School (Christina School District) 2019
Cedar Lane Elementary School (Appoquinimink School District) 2018
Lake Forest South Elementary School (Lake Forest School Distrist) 2018
Selbyville Middle School (Indian River School District) 2018
East Millsboro Elementary School (Indian River School District)  2017
Olive B. Loss Elementary School (Appoquinimink School District) 2017
Seaford Central Elementary School (Seaford School District) 2017
Christ the Teacher Catholic School (Private) 2016
Dover Air Force Base Middle School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2016
Newark Charter School (Charter) 2016
St John the Beloved School (Private) 2016
Sussex Academy (Charter) 2016
Cape Henlopen High School (Cape Henlopen School District) 2015
Lake Forest East Elementary School (Lake Forest School District) 2015
W. B. Simpson Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District)  2015
The Academy of Dover (Charter) 2014
John M. Clayton Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2014
Lake Forest North Elementary School (Lake Forest School District) 2014
The Charter School of Wilmington (Charter, Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2013
Richard A. Shields Elementary School (Cape Henlopen School District) 2013
Allen Frear Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2013
Linden Hill Elementary School (Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2012
Harry O. Eisenberg Elementary School (Colonial School District) 2012
Star Hill Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2012
West Park Place Elementary School (Christina School District) 2011
Long Neck Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2011
Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary School (Caesar Rodney School District) 2011
Christ the Teacher Catholic School (Private) 2010
Newark Charter School (Charter) 2010
Robert S. Gallaher Elementary School (Christina School District) 2010
Woodbridge Elementary School (Woodbridge School District) 2010
Marbrook Elementary School (Red Clay Consolidated School District) 2009
East Millsboro Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2008
Sussex Technical High School (Sussex Technical School District) 2008
Lancashire Elementary School (Brandywine School District) 2007
Etta J. Wilson Elementary School (Christina School District) 2007
Joseph M. McVey Elementary School (Christina School District) 2007
North Georgetown Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2006
Lake Forest East Elementary School (Lake Forest School District) 2006
Fairview Elementary School (Capital School District) 2006
Long Neck Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2005
Booker T. Washington Elementary School (Capital School District) 2005
Lulu M. Ross Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2004
Frankford Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2004
Phillip C. Showell Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2003
Corpus Christi Elementary School (Private) 2001
Lord Baltimore Elementary School (Indian River School District) 2001
Padua Academy (Private) 1996
Seaford Middle School (Seaford School District) 1996
Sussex Technical High School (Sussex Technical School District) 1996
St. Matthew School (Private) 1992
Corpus Christi School (Private) 1990
Dover High School (Capital School District) 1987
Skyline Middle School (Red Clay Consolidated School District) 1985
Christiana High School (Christina School District) 1984
Caesar Rodney Senior High School (Caesar Rodney School District) 1984
Brandywine High School (Brandywine School District) 1983
Shue Middle School (Christina School District) 1983

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

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