Forest Hills' P.S. 101 Is A National Blue Ribbon Winner

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — P.S. 101Q in Forest Hills Gardens has earned a National Blue Ribbon award for being among the highest performing schools in the state, the U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday.

The Forest Hills public school was the only school in Queens to win the coveted distinction.

"We are humbled by such a recognition and it inspires us to continue to do more," Principal Monique Lopez-Paniagua said in a statement.

"We want to give our students the best chance they can have to be successful with a strong sense of emotional well-being," she added. "In our efforts to create such a space for them, it requires all of us to collaborate and achieve greater things together than we could ever do in isolation."

P.S. 101Q is one of eight New York City schools that received a Blue Ribbon, which "affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content," according to the Department of Education.

A total of 362 schools across the country earned the title.

"We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees.

"As a National Blue Ribbon school, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning," she added.

A ceremony honoring the schools will be held in Washington D.C. in November.

You can see the full list of Blue Ribbon schools for 2019.