Mandan elementary, 2 other North Dakota schools honored nationally
Red Trail Elementary in Mandan and two other schools in North Dakota have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024 by the U.S. Department of Education.
Red Trail, Lincoln Elementary in the Golden Valley County town of Beach, and Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood K-12 Public School in Renville County all were chosen as an exemplary high-performing school.
"This honorable award highlights the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication that the students, teachers and administrators at these exceptional schools bring to the classroom every day," North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said in a statement . "We are grateful ... for their commitment to excellence that earned them this well-deserved honor, as well as the schools throughout our state that are adopting and applying innovative approaches to teaching and learning."
The schools
Red Trail Elementary opened to children in pre-K through fifth grade in 2014, and now has 442 students. A student assembly celebration was held Monday afternoon, with recognition for the achievement planned throughout the school year, Principal Dave Steckler said.
In northwestern North Dakota, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public Schools is a single school with 320 students in grades kindergarten through 12. Superintendent Keith Campbell credited the recognition as the result of the effort that went into the application work by Principals Janet Asheim and Heidi Newgard, as well as leadership teams and the school's teachers.
"We're proud of what we're doing, we're proud of the work our students and our teachers have been doing," Campbell said. "This is the crown on the top of your cap. We're making progress and we are proud of it."
As for Lincoln Elementary in the far west part of the state, this year marks the second that the elementary received the honor, with the first time being in 2008. The achievement makes it the seventh state school to be presented with the honor twice. The school, pre-K through sixth grade, has 155 students. Principal Lynn Swanson said she anticipates a root beer float celebration to celebrate the honor.
This year, 356 educational institutions were named as National Blue Ribbon Schools in two performance categories: exemplary high-performing schools and exemplary achievement gap-closing schools.
The hundreds of schools are spread across the country, each serving as models of effective and innovative practices for educators in the nation, the Education Department said in a statement. High-performing schools are among the top performers in their state, measured by assessments or nationally normed tests, while achievement gap-closing schools are best in narrowing gaps between certain students groups and the overall student body.
"As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child," U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.
Up to 420 schools can be nominated every year.
