The U.S. Department of Education announced their 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools with Smyer ISD being recognized as a Blue Ribbon School. The U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 297 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022. Smyer ISD Superintendent Chris Wade explained the award reflected how hard the students and faculty of Smyer ISD have worked. “I am super proud of the great work the students and staff were able to accomplish to receive such an honor,” said Superintendent Wade. “These kids have continued to learn and grow through these difficult times and it’s nice to see their hard work be recognized.”
The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Secretary Cardona made the announcement during his Road to Success Back to School bus tour.
“I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”
With its 39th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for, attaining and exemplary achievement.
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates: Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
ExemplaryAchievementGap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education. Additionally, the Texas Education Agency rated Smyer ISD as “A” rated campus this past school year. This is the first time the district had received an “A” rating.
“For this district, receiving such a high rating and earning recognition for the hard work this district has done collectively, it’s a great thing to see and a great thing to be a part of,” said Superintendent Wade. “Covid was tough for everyone, but this staff worked hard to help our kids grow and continue to become better students and individuals.”