Long Valley Elementary School Named National Blue Ribbon School

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Old Farmers Road School was named a National Blue Ribbon School on Monday, according to the Department of Education.

“I'm pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students' accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”

The school has 328 students, and was nominated in the exemplary high performing school category.

Here's what the school's official nomination page said:

OFRS teachers are amongst the best of the best. Their dedication to our profession shines through in all they do. Teachers participate in collaborative student-centered professional learning communities. Achievement is realized across our school in a creative manner, which has led to consistently impressive outcomes. In addition to our exceptional teachers, we are a school family which includes many other experts. Our school would not be what it is without the contributions of our child study team, counselor, nurse, aides, secretaries, custodians, maintenance, cafeteria personnel, bus drivers, technology, central office support, and finally our principal, all of whom devote their talents to our extraordinary school. Undoubtedly, our support staff plays and integral role in a smooth running operation.

Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools. The U.S. Department of Education will celebrate with 300 public and 49 private school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.
All schools are honored 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 over the past five years.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

Image via OFRS