ATLANTA, Texas - Atlanta Elementary School has been named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.
The award recognizes a school's overall academic performance in closing achievement gaps. Atlanta Elementary was nominated for the award by the Texas Commissioner of Education.
Only 325 schools across the nation received this award in 2021.
"We are fortunate to serve a community that bleeds maroon and provides all we need to make our students excel in both academic and extracurricular areas," Superintendent Sidney Harrist said in a statement. "Principal Dena McCord and her staff are expert educators who work hard to cultivate relationships with students and families that last far beyond the elementary school experience."
Since 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that have high student achievement and highlights where exemplary progress has been made in closing achievement gaps among student subpopulations.
"This year's cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish," USDE Secretary Miguel Cardona said. "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. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children."
Since inception, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
(To view Atlanta Elementary School's profile on the National Blue Ribbon Website, visit nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/21tx110pu_atlanta_elementary_ online.)
school.html)