JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – First Lady Georganne Nixon today visited Barbara Blanchard Elementary in Cape Girardeau and New Haven High School in New Haven to commend students, parents, teachers and staff for their commitment to academic excellence, including being named as 2015 Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The national award – given to only 335 schools nationwide this year – honors schools whose students achieve at very high levels or who have made significant progress to close gaps in achievement.
“Every Missouri student deserves a quality education,” said First Lady Georganne Nixon. “That’s why the Governor and I are very proud that public schools like these are rising to the challenge and delivering a world-class education that not only prepares students for good jobs but also inspires them to be life-long learners.”
Eight public schools in Missouri have been honored as 2015 Blue Ribbon Schools. The national award honors schools for high levels of academic achievement or significant progress in closing gaps in achievement among disadvantaged and minority students.
During her visit to Barbara Blanchard Elementary, the First Lady read Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks and illustrated by Richard Egielski to first and second grade classrooms. First Lady Georganne Nixon, who has taught in Missouri public schools, serves as a Reading Ambassador for the Scholastic program.
“These outstanding schools are shining examples of what can be accomplished when communities come together to make education a priority,” Gov. Nixon said. “The high honor of this National Blue Ribbon award is a testament to the continued and consistent success the students here demonstrate year-round.”
Gov. Nixon has made public education in Missouri a top priority of his administration. Even during the height of the recession, he worked across the aisle to balance the budget every year while providing record funding for K-12 classrooms. Math and reading scores have increased on his watch and Missouri’s high school graduation rate is in the top 10 in the nation. Over the past six years, Missouri has also led the nation in holding down tuition increases at its public colleges and universities.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap, especially among disadvantaged and minority students. The U.S. Department of Education says the award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.
