Schools

Forsyth County Elementary Selected As U.S. Blue Ribbon School

In all, 325 U.S. schools received the honor for overall performance from the U.S. Department of Education, including nine in Georgia.

Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. (Shutterstock)

CUMMING, GA — One Forsyth County school was honored as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday. The award recognizes a school’s overall academic performance as well the commitment by staff to help students succeed.

In all, 325 schools were named to the 2021 list. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.

Included on this year’s list is Johns Creek Elementary School, 6205 Old Atlanta Road in Suwanee. It was ranked in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category.

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There were nine schools from Georgia included in the 2021 list. They include:

  • Bleckley County High School, Cochran
  • Crabapple Lane Elementary School, Peachtree City
  • Elite Scholars Academy School, Jonesboro
  • Fulton Science Academy Private School, Alpharetta
  • High Shoals Elementary School, Bishop
  • Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson
  • Oakhurst Elementary School, Decatur
  • Riverview Elementary School, Dawsonville

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year, according to the Department of Education. Nominees are selected by top education officials in states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Find out what's happening in Cummingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Blue Ribbon Schools are then selected based on their performance in one of two categories:

  • Exemplary High-Performing Schools: These are among a state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
  • Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools: These are among a state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between all other students and according to a school’s student groups.

Schools are also selected based on student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates.

This year’s nominees “illustrate what is possible” during tough times, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a news release.

"I commend this school and all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs,” Cardona said in the release. “In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children.”


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