Public Education Secretary Designate Kurt Steinhaus
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — Three New Mexico elementary schools are being honored by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes outstanding schools throughout the nation.
The coveted Blue Ribbon School designation, conferred annually by the U.S. Department of Education, honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps. This year, 325 schools nationally were selected.
The New Mexico schools honored include:
- Mesa Verde Elementary in Farmington;
- Coronado Elementary in Hobbs; and
- Mesquite Elementary in Mesquite.
“This is a very prestigious program with a rigorous application process designed to identify and recognize the country’s best schools,” Public Education Secretary Designate Kurt Steinhaus said. “Every New Mexican should take pride in these three schools and the extraordinary work they are doing to close achievement gaps, create positive learning environments and set children on the path to academic success.”
Mesa Verde Principal Pamela Schritter attributed her school receiving the honor to a community of educators and families who are committed to excellence.
“You have to credit our teachers for their growth mindset and just so much grit and stamina and perseverance. For all of us, it’s all about our students and their success,” Schritter said.
Coronado Elementary Principal Laura Otto said her school was chosen because of its success in closing gaps, partly through data-driven instruction and decision making.
“We have a great bunch of teachers, and they worked so hard this year. We know data-driven instruction works, and we believe in it whole-heartedly,” Otto said.
In Mesquite, Principal Angela Silvaggio said the whole community worked together to convince Mesquite Elementary students to believe in themselves.
“Everyone was working toward that one goal – to convince our students that they are no different than any other student and they definitely could do it. They bought into it, and we’re just so thrilled,” Silvaggio said.
The three New Mexico schools will receive their awards at an in-person event Nov. 4-5 at the Gaylord National Conference Center in National Harbor, MD.
