September 29, 2011 -
Today Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon visited the McGrath Elementary School and congratulated the administration, staff and students on winning the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award.
Despite its being labeled a “school of poverty,” McGrath Elementary has consistently raised their national test scores and has earned four consecutive Title I Academic Achievement Awards. Last year, McGrath received their first California Distinguished Award. This year, McGrath was awarded the prestigious 2011 National Blue Ribbon Award.
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was created by the Department of Education in 1982 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The Blue Ribbon award is considered the highest honor an American school can achieve.
“It was an honor and a privilege to join the staff and students of McGrath Elementary today to help recognize and celebrate their achievements,” said Congressman McKeon. “The impressive success of this school proves that academic excellence is not a derivative of wealth, but rather the pride and determination of a school’s administration, teachers and most of all, its students.”
The teachers at McGrath Elementary made an agreement with the students to bring one person to speak to the school if they achieved a 90% proficiency or higher on the STAR test. After reaching their goal, a vote was taken and the students chose President Obama. All 5th and 6th graders wrote a letter to the President asking him to attend their school for a day if they achieved their academic goal. The school made several fruitless attempts at contacting the administration, including sending a 6th grade teacher to the White House to present the letters the students wrote to the President. Congressman McKeon has personally written President Obama asking him to consider visiting the award winning school.
###
