GLENMONT — Glenmont Elementary School was named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education on Thursday, Sept. 26.
The school is among 312 public schools in the country, among 19 New York state schools, and the only Capital Region school to receive this honor which recognizes schools for being “models of successful teaching and learning,” according to a Bethlehem school district release.
While the award assesses public and private elementary, middle and high schools, it is “intended to highlight and affirm the efforts of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.”
“I am thrilled that Glenmont has been named a Blue Ribbon School,” said Laura Heffernan, the school’s principal. “It is a testament to the hard work of a team that will do whatever it takes to meet the needs of each and every student. Our faculty and staff love what they do and it shows.”
Glenmont is specifically recognized as an “Exemplary High Performing” school, which is one of two categories the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors schools. This recognizes schools that rank among their state’s highest performing schools in terms of state assessments. The other category is “Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing” which recognizes schools for seeing outstanding progress in improving student achievement levels.
“Our students work hard to be prepared academically when they leave Glenmont, but I feel particularly proud when I see them in middle school or high school carry themselves with confidence and with strength of character,” said Heffernan. “That is something shaped and nurtured by the families, faculty and staff of a very special school community.”
Glenmont Elementary School, serving 342 students in grades K through five, will be honored at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 14 and 15 in Washington D.C.; it had previously received this honor back in the 1989-1990 school year. Also, the Elsmere and Hamagrael elementary schools had achieved it in 2013 and 2009 respectively.
“This is a well-deserved honor for the faculty, staff, students and the families of Glenmont School,” said Jody Monroe, Bethlehem Central School District’s superintendent. “It is especially meaningful for a school that back in 2013 found itself being challenged to close an unexpected achievement gap of its own. Building leaders, faculty and staff crafted a plan to erase that gap and carried it out successfully to ensure Glenmont’s special education students would have every opportunity to succeed.”
For more information, visit www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.
