Munsey Park National Blue Ribbon School

The U. S. Secretary Arne Duncan announced Munsey Park School as one of 337 schools recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2014 based on overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.  We were awarded under the “overall academic excellence” category. These schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels.
Secretary Duncan made this announcement live via the Department’s USTREAM channel http://www.ustream.tv/channel/education-department at 1:30 pm and was viewed by recognized principals, teachers, and students assembled across the country and our faculty, staff, and students at Munsey Park.“These great schools are fulfilling the promise of American education—that all students, no matter their name or zip code, can flourish when schools provide safe, creative, and challenging learning environments,” Secretary Duncan said. “National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of consistent excellence and a resource for other schools and districts. We celebrate them for their tireless effort and boundless creativity in reaching and teaching every student.”The Department will honor 287 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony, to be held on Nov. 10-11 in Washington, D.C.  The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.
All schools are recognized 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. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels.  “Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools” are among their State’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years.  Specifically, for the 2013-2014 award year, the Department strengthened the focus of both categories’ performance criteria around subgroups within a school and improving graduation rates for all student