Centralhatchee Elementary and Futral Road Elementary Named Blue Ribbon Schools

September 9, 2008 – U .S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today named eight Georgia public schools as 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools. Secretary Spellings made the announcement today at Atlanta's F.L. Stanton Elementary School with State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. 

"These are eight schools that are leading the way in achievement and improvement," said Superintendent Cox. "In Georgia, we know how great these schools are. Now, the whole country knows it too." 

The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. 

“These Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve,” Secretary Spellings said. 

Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen in one of three categories (see the full criteria descriptions): 

• TOP 10%: Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement.
• TOP 10%: (40% Disadvantaged): Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement AND have at least 40 percent of its students considered economically disadvantaged.
• GREATEST GAINS: Schools with at least 40 percent economically disadvantaged students that have dramatically improved student achievement to high levels.

Representatives from these schools are invited to attend an Awards Ceremony hosted by the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC on October 20 & 21.
For more information on the Blue Ribbon School program, go to the U.S. Department of Education's Website.

The Eight National Blue Ribbon Schools are:

TOP 10% (40% Disadvantaged)
East Central Elementary School
Rome City Schools
Tonya Wood, Principal

Centralhatchee Elementary School, Franklin
Heard County Schools
Carol Thomas, Principal

GREATEST GAINS
Appling County Primary, Baxley
Appling County
Scarlett Copeland, Principal

F.L. Stanton Elementary, Atlanta
Atlanta Public Schools
Dr. Marlo Barber, Principal

Futral Road Elementary School, Griffin
Griffin-Spalding County
Larry Jones, Jr. Principal

TOP 10%
Mabry Middle School, Marietta
Cobb County Schools
Merrilee Heflin, Principal

Livsey Elementary School, Tucker
DeKalb County Schools
Dr. Melanie Castelle, Principal

Milton High School, Milton
Fulton County Schools
Mr. Ronald Tesch, Principal

PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Superintendent Cox also congratulated one Georgia private school, Torah Day School of Atlanta, that was chosen for Blue Ribbon designation. The criteria for private schools is different and can be viewed at http://www.capenet.org/brs.html.