May 11, 2006

LANSING -The State Board of Education has announced that Michigan Blue Ribbons are being awarded to eight middle and high schools this year, recognizing outstanding improvement strategies throughout the state.

“The Blue Ribbon program’s selection committee chose 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 education 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 education 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 selection committee.

To ensure a fair and equal selection system, elementary and secondary schools compete separately on alternate years. Secondary schools were eligible to apply for the Blue Ribbon award this year. Michigan’s Blue Ribbon Exemplary Schools for 2005-06 are:

Bedford Public Schools
Bedford Junior High School

Big Rapids Public Schools
Big Rapids High School

Grandville Public Schools
Grandville High School

Lake Orion Community Schools
Waldon Middle School

Rockford Public Schools
East Rockford Middle School

Swan Valley School District
Swan Valley High School

Utica Community Schools
Dwight D. Eisenhower High School

Warren Consolidated Schools
Grissom Middle School