U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona

NMPED News:

SANTA FE — U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will recognize three New Mexico schools—Lincoln Elementary in Gallup, Lydia Rippey Elementary in Farmington and Monte Vista Elementary in Albuquerque—for their exemplary high performance over the past years with the Blue-Ribbon School Award from during his announcement from Washington, D.C.   
 
U.S. Department of Education’s Blue-Ribbon School Program recognizes public and private schools for their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps. According to the department, over 10,000 Blue Ribbon School Awards have been awarded to over 9,000 schools, and the award “affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.”
 
“I want to congratulate these teachers, administrators, students, and their families on their hard work to achieve Blue Ribbon status,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “This is what we can accomplish when we focus on supporting educators and creating classroom environments that make learning accessible for all students.”
 
Dr. Arsenio Romero, Secretary of the Public Education Department, praised the three schools for being paragons for other to schools follow.

“We could not be prouder of our Blue Ribbon Schools this year and the success of each school is rooted in their ties to community, strong leadership and resilience,” Romero said. “Each school offers us something to be inspired by and something to aspire to. Congratulations to the students, staff and communities that make Lincoln Elementary, Lydia Rippey Elementary, and Monte Vista Elementary such proud examples of excellence in education.”

Mike Hyatt, the Superintendent for Gallup-McKinley County Schools, attributes Lincoln Elementary success to the resourceful staff and teachers that create a positive work environment for students.

“Within the last few years our district has put several initiatives into place to greatly improve the quality of the education that our students receive and the teachers at Lincoln Elementary have fully utilized the tools, resources, and support available to them to ensure their students’ success,” Hyatt said. “Winning this award is proof that our efforts are working, and serves as motivation for us to keep striving, keep working and keep improving.”
 
Samantha Nelson, the Principal of Lydia Rippey Elementary, credits the holistic style of teaching and the civic involvement students participate in as a key factor in receiving a National Blue-Ribbon Award.     

“Lydia Rippey emphasizes community involvement, encouraging students to engage in meaningful service projects and extracurricular activities that promote character development and civic responsibility,” Nelson said. “This holistic approach to education not only equips students with strong academic foundations but also nurtures their growth as empathetic, well-rounded individuals, making Lydia Rippey Elementary School a standout institution in the world of elementary education.”
 
Cicely Ryan, the Principal of Monte Vista Elementary, praises the dedication and passion of the staff, students and families to winning the award.

“Earning the Blue-Ribbon Award places Monte Vista Elementary among the most exceptional educators, students, staff, and families in the country and it’s a testament to the dedication and passion of all who have been part of our school community, whether in the past or present,” Ryan said. “This prestigious recognition signifies that Monte Vista is an exemplar in delivering enriched academics, preparing all students for the future, and engaging our community. It’s a proud day for our school.”

NMPED Sec. Romero congratulates each school for the hard work, dedication and passion that staff, families and communities demonstrate in creating an exceptional educational environment for students and looks forward to seeing their continued success.  

An official ceremony will be held in November in Washington, D.C., where representatives from each of the schools will receive their school’s award.