“Blue Ribbon Schools are models of improved student achievement from which others can take inspiration,” said U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, at the Blue Ribbon Schools announcement ceremony today.
Waldron Mercy Academy has received official notice that it has been designated a 2009 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, the most prestigious education award in the country, for its excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement, parent involvement, and community support.
The program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that have placed in the top 10 percent on state or national assessments, among other criteria.
Schools selected for recognition prepared an extensive written nomination package representing a thorough self-evaluation. The process involved assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the school and developing plans to improve for the future.
Of the 139 private schools that applied, only 50 (36%) actually achieved this distinction.
WMA received the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., and school-wide celebrations will follow throughout the academic year.
This is the second time that WMA has been honored with this award, with the first awarded in 2001.