Valley Park High School is nominated for 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award
Valley Park High School has been nominated for the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award. Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro nominated eight Missouri schools for this year’s award. In his announcement, Superintendent Dr. David Knes said, “The National Blue Ribbon Award is the pinnacle of school awards in the field of education. Since its inception 29 years ago, only a select few high schools in the state have received this award.”
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education invites Chief State School Officers to nominate schools from their state that meet the National Blue Ribbon School recognition criteria. Valley Park High School was nominated based on two criteria: (1) Exemplary High Performing, a school, whose students, regardless of background, is high performing; or (2) Exemplary Improving, a school that has reduced the achievement gap by making the most progress in improving student performance. Both criteria for the award nomination are measured by the school’s performance on state assessment tests.
Nominated schools must undergo an extensive application process. The application focuses on student achievement results predicated by exemplary instructional programs and practices. Eligible schools must submit their students’ state test data from the previous five years. The U.S. Department of Education Secretary may initiate site visits to document educational practices.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices. In September, the U.S. Department of Education will announce the list of 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Winning schools will send two representatives to the recognition ceremony held in November, in Washington, D.C.
