Robinwood Elementary School Makes 2021 Blue Ribbon List

FRANKLIN, WI — Several Wisconsin schools were honored as Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday, including one in Franklin. The award recognizes a school’s overall academic performance as well the commitment by staff to help students succeed.

In all, 325 schools were named to the 2021 list. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.

Included on this year’s list is Robinwood Elementary School in the Franklin Public School District. Chad Nelson is the principal of Robinwood.

“It is very humbling to be recognized as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School,” Nelson said in a news release Tuesday.

“To receive this recognition as an exemplary high performing school is an honor for the staff, students, and families of Franklin," Nelson added. "The dedication and work from our staff over the years to ensure each child begins their love of learning at Robinwood is a true testament to what it means to be a better place to learn, a better place to work, and part of a better community.”

Here’s a look at this year’s other winners from around Wisconsin:

• Coloma Elementary School, Coloma, Wisconsin.
• Drummond Elementary School, Drummond, Wisconsin.
• Foxview Intermediate School, De Pere, Wisconsin.
• Hatley Elementary School, Hatley, Wisconsin.
• Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary School, Racine, Wisconsin.
• Marquette University High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• River Crest Elementary School, Hudson, Wisconsin.
• Westview Elementary School, Platteville, Wisconsin.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year, according to the Department of Education. Nominees are selected by top education officials in states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Blue Ribbon Schools are then selected based on their performance in one of two categories:

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools: These are among a state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools: These are among a state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between all other students and according to a school’s student groups.

Schools are also selected based on student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates.

This year’s nominees “illustrate what is possible” during tough times, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a news release.

"I commend this school and all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs,” Cardona said in the release. “In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children.”