East Hawaii’s Ernest Bowen deSilva Elementary School was among three in the state named 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding performance and improvement efforts.
East Hawaii’s Ernest Bowen deSilva Elementary School was among three in the state named 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding performance and improvement efforts.
Joining Haleiwa Elementary and Red Hill Elementary, deSilva was among the 337 schools announced as winners by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. In November, Duncan and the U.S. Department of Education will honor the schools — 287 public and 50 private — at a ceremony in the nation’s capital.
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.
“These great schools are fulfilling the promise of an American education — that all students, no matter their socioeconomic status or ZIP code, can flourish when schools provide safe, creative and challenging learning environments,” 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.”
Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi congratulated the state’s three winning schools, including administrators, faculty and students.
“These national awards affirm and elevate each school’s considerable progress in preparing students to succeed in college or careers,” she said.
E.B. deSilva Elementary became the first neighbor island school to be named a Blue Ribbon School since Holualoa Elementary in Kona in 2008. Most of its students, including students from disadvantaged subgroups, meet and/or exceed standards in English language arts and math.