CONNECTICUT, USA — Three Connecticut public schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education.
The three schools who have been recognized are Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden and Sunnyside Elementary School in Shelton.
Select schools across the United States receive the award each year for demonstrating overall high achievement or success in closing achievement gaps. In a release from the Office of Gov. Ned Lamont, both Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker congratulated the schools for their tremendous achievements.
Lamont said Connecticut’s public schools are considered among the best in the nation because of the high-quality teachers and staff in the state’s school systems, who provide a high level of learning that is helping students achieve success.
“Every child deserves access to a quality education that prepares them for achievement,” Lamont said. “There’s no doubt that we must continue working to close persistent achievement gaps, but I firmly believe that the strong work of so many of our educators is having an impact.”
Russell-Tucker praised the students, educators and school leaders at each school that received the prestigious honor and encouraged them to continue their pursuit of excellence.
“These schools exemplify Connecticut’s dedication to fostering educational environments where all students can thrive and reach their full potential, preparing them for academic success as well as life and work beyond school,” Russell-Tucker said.
Daniel Hand High School
Daniel Hand High School earned recognition for the exemplary high performance of its students. The school serves 776 students in Grades 9 through 12 and has performed well since the inception of the Next Generation Accountability System 10 years ago.
Lamont’s office said that the school’s accountability index, which is a percentage of possible points earned, has surpassed the target of 85 each year. The accountability index in 2022-2023 was 88.4%, resulting in School of Distinction Status for the second straight year.
That school year, the high school earned all possible points on seven indicators of the accountability report, as graduation rates are strong for all students and students with high needs.
During the 2022-2023 school year, the high school’s chronic absenteeism rate was 2.1% for all students and 5.6% for students with high needs, suggesting that students there are engaged and ready to learn. School leaders also highlighted the approach of listening to and acting on student input.
Israel Putnam Elementary Group
Israel Putnam Elementary Group was recognized for exemplary achievements in gap closing. As one of four elementary schools in Meriden serving students in kindergarten through Grade 5, the school teaches 482 students. Approximately 80% are eligible for free or reduce-priced meals, and 19% are multilingual learners, Lamont’s office said.
The school earned School of Distinction status for two consecutive years due to strong academic growth, according to Lamont’s office. In 2022-2023, students were in the top 10% of schools relating to growth in mathematics for all students and students with high needs. This was also true in reading for students with high needs. On average, students achieved around 88% of their growth targets in mathematics. The 2022-2023 growth scores in mathematics were the highest to date for the school, Lamont’s office says.
Teachers at the school acknowledge the importance of providing students with experiences beyond the regular curriculum during and outside of the school day. A decade ago, they established the first Meriden Elementary School Drama Club. Club members continue to be involved in every aspect of production, which Lamont’s office said creates confidence, strengthens communication skills, encourages creativity and fosters a love for the arts.
The school additionally provides a range of monthly enrichment opportunities to its students. Staff volunteer to lead activities such as cupcake decorating, board games, world languages, crafts, fitness activities, science, cooking, yoga, coloring mandalas and more.
Sunnyside Elementary School
Sunnyside Elementary School, a small neighborhood school in Shelton, earned the honor for its exemplary achievements in gap closing. The school enrolls 224 students from kindergarten through Grade 4, and nearly half of the student body is eligible for free or reduced-price meals, while 15.6% of students are multilingual learners.
The school has earned School of Distinction status each year since 2015-2016. In 2022-2023, Lamont’s office said its academic growth was among the top 10% of schools in mathematics and reading for all students and students with high needs.
The school’s overall accountability index that school year was 80, which means that the school earned 80% of all percentage points. The index was contributed to by high scores in overall reading and math performance; the school earned over 90% of possible points for all students in both subjects.
The teachers at the school have developed a culture promoting trust, collaboration and continuous improvement through Instructional Rounds, which are modeled after a similar practice used in medicine. A group of educators from the school travel to observe teaching and learning throughout the building. These classroom visits are brief and not meant to evaluate. Lamont’s office said the group reflects on the instruction and student engagement that are witnessed. The process allows teachers there to learn from their peers.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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