Towson High School Awarded State Blue Ribbon

was one of six schools recognized by the state as a Maryland blue ribbon school, the state announced Friday.

"Maryland has scores of innovative, highly effective schools, making this selection from our 1,450 schools more difficult each year," Maryland schools superintendent Nancy Grasmick said in a statement. "We congratulate the students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members of these six amazing schools, which serve as golden examples of educational leadership."

Towson High, best known nationwide for giving the world Michael Phelps, is known countywide for its law and public policy magnet program. The Cedar Avenue school serves 1,395 students and opened at its current location in 1949.

It's the 15th public school and the third high school in the county to be recognized with a state blue ribbon. According to state statistics, the school boasts near-total proficiency on English and math exams.

Jane Barranger, Towson's principal, knew last week that the school would be recognized.

"I knew what it was and I didn't tell anyone, so I'm very proud of myself," she said.

She said she was very grateful to the state for recognizing the hard work of students and faculty there.

"It's just a very special place and it just validates the hard work of our kids and our teachers and speaks volumes about the hard work of our superintendent and the mission he has charged us with," Barranger said.

Towson will win $6,000 in new technology equipment, $1,000 from the state department of education and a pizza party from Joe Corbi's. Administrators will attend a March banquet in Annapolis.

When asked what the school might do with the equipment and grant, Barranger said, "I really haven't [thought about it], but I want to get some input certainly from the staff and the students for what will make the biggest difference."

From here, the state will submit the six schools to the U.S. Department of Education for consideration in the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Winners in that competition will be announced next fall.

And despite the honor, or perhaps because of it, Barranger said Towson is "not going to rest on any laurels and it's just a continuous process to ensure that more kids are doing better."

The other schools honored include:

• Severna Park High School, Anne Arundel County
• Oklahoma Road Middle School, Carroll County
• Lime Kiln Middle School, Howard County
• Bel Air Elementary School, Allegany County
• Mt. Washington Elementary, Baltimore City