U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently honored three Hawaii schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently honored three Hawaii schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
Among those schools honored this year was Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School in Hilo. The other two schools are in Honolulu.
“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said DeVos. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”
The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.
The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony will be conducted virtually Nov. 12-13. While the department regrets not having the opportunity to celebrate in person, given the current situation regarding COVID-19, it will celebrate the 317 public and 50 nonpublic school honorees in the ways it is able, and the schools will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.
