Grace Thille is one of 20 schools statewide and 300 schools in the nation to receive this honor this year. The principal and one teacher will be invited to Washington, D.C. in November to receive this distinguished award.
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students.
Mary Fennel, the new Principal at Grace Thille this year said they are all very excited about the honor. The application for the award was submitted last year by now retired Principal Frances Contreras. She was also very excited by the award. “For both the teachers and the children this is the culminating event for all the hard work they’ve put in for all these year,” she said. “We have been blessed with teachers willing to go the extra mile.” She added that Grace Thille was named a “Distinguished School” by the state for 2009-10.
All nominees for the Blue Ribbon Award must qualify as either (1) high performing-schools in their states as measured by state tests in both reading (English language arts) and mathematics or assessments referenced against national norms -or (2) improvement to high levels-schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds and have improved student performance to high levels in reading (English language arts) and mathematics on state assessments or assessments referenced against national norms. Disadvantaged is defined by the Chief State School Officers (CSSO) of each state; it must include students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals and may include students who receive Title I services, are limited English proficient, migrant, or in need of special services.
