Four Mississippi elementary schools have been recognized among the nation’s best.
The schools have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as four of the 325 ‘National Blue Ribbon Schools’ for 2021 based on overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
The Mississippi schools include:
- Woolmarket Elementary School, Harrison County School District
- Brandon Elementary School, Rankin County School District
- East Hancock Elementary School, Hancock County School District
- Della Davidson Elementary School, Oxford School District
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
- Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.
East Hancock Elementary School and Della Davidson Elementary School were recognized as “exemplary high-performing schools.” Woolmarket Elementary School and Brandon Elementary School were recognized as “exemplary achievement gap-closing schools.”
“National Blue Ribbon schools are models of consistent excellence in teaching and learning, and these schools represent the high-quality education that takes place across Mississippi’s public schools,” Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, said. “I congratulate every teacher, school leader, student and family member who helped their school achieve this outstanding accomplishment.”
Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
