Parkview Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School

Van Buren’s Parkview Elementary has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education!

Parkview students and staff, along with District and community leaders, and State Senator Jim Petty, gathered for a surprise ceremony on Tuesday (September 19) where Principal Mary McCutchen made the announcement. Parkview is one of only three schools in the state to receive the honor this year.

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup 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.

According to the program, "National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning."

"We are incredibly proud of our students and staff at Parkview and all they have done to earn this impressive distinction,” said Superintendent Dr. Harold Jeffcoat. “This is a tremendous honor for not only the Van Buren School District, but for our entire community.”

Celebrating its 40th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program  will recognize this year's honorees at a special ceremony November 16-17 in Washington, D.C.