Country Meadows Nominated as a Blue Ribbon School

Muskego's Country Meadows has been nominated for national recognition for academic excellence. 

State Superintendent Tony Evers nominated Country Meadows as one of five schools for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which recognizes overall academic excellence or progress in improving student achievement.

The nominees also included Grafton Elementary School in the Grafton School District; Kohler High School in the Kohler School District; Ridgeway Elementary School in the Dodgeville School District; and Suamico Elementary School in the Howard-Suamico School District.

“Blue Ribbon School nominees put student achievement front and center,” Evers said in a release from the Department of Public Instruction. “The teachers, school leaders, and staff members as well as the school community come together to support high levels of learning for all students.”

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program began in 1982 and has recognized nearly 7,000 of America’s schools over 30 years. Selection criteria require that schools have at least 100 students and be open for at least five years. 

In addition, schools must meet adequate yearly progress targets in 2010-11 and annual measurable objectives for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years. 

Awards will be given to schools in two categories. “Exemplary High Performing Schools” are those that are in the top 15 percent for performance levels on the state’s reading and mathematics assessments and results for students show similar academic achievement.

Principal Gary Goelz told Muskego Patch just being nominated was an honor.

"Being one of just five schools in the state to receive a nomination is humbling in and of itself, and exemplifies how special the recognition is.  We are excited to begin the Application process, and the recognition that it will bring to the Muskego Norway School District and Country Meadows School," he said "Regardless of the outcome of the nomination, we are proud to serve the students of Country Meadows, and to share at the state level and perhaps nationally, should we be selected as a recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award, the wonderful education that students in Muskego Norway receive.

"Exemplary Improving Schools" have at least 40 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and have made the most progress in improving student achievement on state assessments. Schools receiving this award are among the top 10 percent for both reading and mathematics gains in proficiency levels for all students.

Awards are typically announced in early September.