News from Senator Carl Levin of Michigan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 1999
Contact: Senator Levin's Office
Phone: 202.224.6221

President Clinton Honors 11 Michigan Schools that Received "Blue Ribbon Schools" Award

Recognized schools in Shelby Township, Waterford, Troy, Richland, Sterling Heights, Belmont, Rochester Hills, Birmingham and Caledonia

WASHINGTON -- At the White House this morning, President Clinton honored 11 Michigan elementary schools that won the Blue Ribbon Schools Award earlier this year. Administered by the Department of Education, this award recognizes schools that have been particularly effective in meeting local state and national goals and that display qualities of excellence and equity which are necessary to prepare our young people for the challenges of the next century.

"Education is one of the most important investments we can make in our future, and these 11 schools have demonstrated a strong, time-tested commitment to students' growth and education as well as to innovative curricula," Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said today. "These awards provide a terrific incentive for other schools to develop equally successful programs, and we should keep working to bring 'blue ribbon' education to all Michigan students."

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established in 1982 to re-energize school communities across the United States by identifying and recognizing outstanding public and private schools, offering a framework of key criteria for school improvement initiatives, and facilitating the sharing of best practices among schools. Since then, more than 3,500 schools across the country have been recognized for their excellence, roughly 45 percent of those that apply for the award.

To apply, a school must be recommended for national recognition by their state department of education or sponsoring agency. Nominations are evaluated by a National Review Panel, and the final determination is made by the Secretary of Education based on the recommendation of the panel. Additional information on the program is available at the Department's web site at www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/BlueRibbonSchools/.

Following is a list of the Michigan schools that were honored today.

Michigan Schools that Received
1998-1999 Blue Ribbon Schools Award

Belmont Elementary School
6097 Belmont Avenue
Belmont, MI

Deerfield Elementary School
3600 Crooks Road
Rochester Hills, MI

Eton Academy
1755 Melton Street
Birmingham, MI

Explorer Elementary School
2307 68th Street, S.E.
Caledonia, MI

George F. Roberts Elementary School
2400 Belleview Street
Shelby Township, MI

Havel Elementary School
41855 Schoenherr Street
Sterling Heights, MI

Isaac Monfort Elementary School
6700 Montgomery Street
Shelby Township, MI

Jayno Adams Elementary School
3810 Clintonville Road
Waterford, MI

Schroeder Elementary School
3541 Jack Drive
Troy, MI

Thomas M. Ryan Intermediate School
9562 East M-89
Richland, MI

W.M. Graebner Elementary School
41875 Saal Road
Sterling Heights, MI

-30-