March 19, 2009
LANSING –The State Board of Education has announced that 22 elementary schools are being recognized this year as Michigan Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding school improvement strategies.

“The Blue Ribbon program’s advisory committee selected these schools as meeting some very tough criteria in delivering quality education to their students,” said State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus. “All these schools, their teachers, students, parents, and communities should be very proud of their accomplishment.”

Established in 1982, the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Program recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence and significant academic improvement over five years. Schools must complete a comprehensive report of key criteria for school effectiveness that serves as a basis for an extensive assessment of their building and programs.

Straus pointed out that the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools program serves three purposes. The program identifies and recognizes outstanding schools across the state; makes research-based effectiveness criteria available to schools so they can assess themselves and plan improvements; and encourages schools to share their best practices for educational success with other schools.

“Michigan Blue Ribbon Schools are models of both excellence and equity,” Straus said. “To be recognized, a school must demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence for all students.”

The State Board of Education stipulates that awarded schools must have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the federal No Child Left Behind law; have a Michigan EducationYES!  School Report Card grade of A or B; and not have a Native American-based school mascot, nickname, or logo.

After interested public and/or private schools apply for consideration, a series of peer review committees make a preliminary selection of those schools they believe warrant a site verification visit. The review committees and site visit teams are composed of teachers and administrators from previously recognized Blue Ribbon Schools. Reports from the site visits, along with the extensive research and data provided by the schools, are considered by the advisory committee.

To ensure a fair and equal selection system, elementary and secondary schools compete separately on alternate years. Elementary schools were eligible to apply for the Blue Ribbon award this year.

Michigan’s Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools for 2008-09 are:

Bedford Public Schools (Monroe County):
1. Jackman Road Elementary School
Temperance, MI

Brandywine Community Schools (Berrien County):
2.         Merritt Elementary School
Niles, MI

Clintondale Community Schools (Macomb County):
3.         Robbie Hall Parker Elementary School
Clinton Township, MI

Farmington Public Schools (Oakland County):
4.         Kenbrook Elementary School
Farmington Hills, MI

Lake Orion Community Schools (Oakland County):
5.         Webber Elementary School
Lake Orion, MI

L’Anse Creuse Public Schools (Macomb County):
6.         Atwood Elementary School
Macomb, MI

Oxford Area Community Schools (Oakland County):
7.         Lakeville Elementary School
Oxford, MI
8.         Leonard Elementary School
Leonard, MI

Rockford Public Schools (Kent County):
9.         Meadow Ridge Elementary School
Rockford, MI

Romeo Community Schools (Macomb County):
10.       Hamilton-Parsons Elementary School
Leonard, MI

11.       Norman B. Hevel Elementary School
Washington, MI

Sault Ste. Marie Area Schools (Chippewa County):
12.       Soo Township Elementary School
Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Southfield Public Schools (Oakland County):
13.       McIntyre Elementary School
Southfield, MI

Utica Community Schools (Macomb County):
14.       Bruce Collins Elementary School
Sterling Heights, MI

15.       Richard J. Duncan Elementary School
Shelby Township, MI

16.       Floyd Ebeling Elementary School
Macomb, MI

17.       Morgan Elementary School
Shelby Township, MI

18.       Switzer Elementary School
Shelby Township, MI

19.       H. H. Wiley Elementary School
Utica, MI

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools (Oakland County):
20.       Commerce Elementary School
Commerce Township, MI

Warren Consolidated Schools (Macomb County):
21.       Wilkerson Elementary School
Warren, MI

Waterford School District (Oakland County):
22.       Riverside Elementary School
Waterford, MI