Critz Congratulates Windber Elementary School on 2012 National Blue Ribbon Designation

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- Congressman Mark S. Critz (PA-12) recognized Windber Elementary School in Somerset County today as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School.  This prestigious award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or make significant improvements in their levels of achievement.  Approximately 300 schools, and only eight in Pennsylvania, were designated today as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. 

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools and students striving for the highest level of educational achievement,” said Congressman Critz.  “I’m proud of the teachers, administrators and students at Windber Elementary School.  Their hard work and dedication to learning is a shining example not only in our region but now across the United States.  Congratulations, Windber Elementary School, and keep up the good work!”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria: 1) Schools whose students are high performing.  These are schools ranked among each state's highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments or, in the case of private schools, that score at the highest performance level on nationally-normed tests; or 2) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels as measured by the school's performance on state assessments or nationally-normed tests.

Before selecting National Blue Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Education asks for nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education.  The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools.  Those schools nominated are then invited by the Secretary of Education to submit an application for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.

The principal and one teacher from each school will be invited to Washington, D.C. for the November 12th and 13th Recognition Ceremony.  Representatives from each school will receive a National Blue Ribbon Schools plaque and a flag to signify its status. 

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of a larger U. S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds.