Five Iowa Schools Named National Blue Ribbon Schools -- Two in Heartland AEA Area

Five Iowa schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for their overall academic excellence or for their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The schools are:

• Charter Oak-Ute Elementary School, Charter Oak-Ute CSD: Closing the achievement gap
• North Kossuth Elementary School, North Kossuth CSD: Closing the achievement gap
• Stilwell Junior High School, West Des Moines CSD: High performing school
• Tipton Elementary School, Tipton CSD: High performing school
• Whittier Elementary School, Indianola CSD: High performing school
  

“Iowa can learn from these schools as our education system continues to make sure every student is prepared for success in and beyond school,” said Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise. “We celebrate Iowa’s Blue Ribbon Schools for their commitment to excellence and for their leadership.”

Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,500 schools.

All schools are honored 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.
• 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.