BALTIMORE, MD – Six Maryland public schools were selected as 2018-19 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools. The announcements were made Tuesday, Dec. 18 in Annapolis. All six were selected as an Exemplary High Performing School, one of the U.S. Department of Education’s two categories. The schools were honored by Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon.
The schools include Mount Harmony Elementary School in Calvert County. The others are Pinewood Elementary School, Baltimore County; Urbana High School, Frederick County; Clarksville Middle School, Howard County; Glenarden Woods Elementary School, Prince George’s County and Ocean City Elementary School, Worcester County.
According to a Maryland State Department of Education press release, “at Mount Harmony Elementary School, 77 percent of students met or exceeded standards on the Maryland PARCC exams with close to 16 percent of fourth and fifth graders increasing their achievement over the prior year. On the new ESSA accountability, the school earned 5 stars. It has a thriving regional ESOL and Functional Life Skills classroom. Students in grades K – 5 are provided weekly STEAM activities and routinely collaborate between grade levels to share learning activities. Over 25 percent of the students extend daily instruction by participating in after-school clubs. The school also provides every student with social and emotional learning activities including a 60-foot-tall “kindness tree” and events such as the Angel Tree, End Hunger and USO donations. There are more than 70 students in the Student Council and parents are encouraged to visit their child’s classroom throughout the school year for Dad’s and Mom’s days.” The principal at MHES is Charles Treft.
“Our most important obligation is to the next generation of Marylanders, which is why we want to recognize schools that are doing a great job of giving our kids the opportunities they need and the tools for success that they deserve,” said Hogan. “Each of these outstanding schools are proof that with strong collaboration among dedicated educators, families, and communities we can close the achievement gap and give Maryland’s children hope for a better future. Congratulations to all of our deserving winners.”
“Creating an outstanding learning environment is no easy task; it requires students, teachers, staff, family members and the community to work together toward a common goal,” said Salmon. “Maryland’s Blue Ribbon honorees and their communities build a strong support system, giving our students the tools they need to succeed. Congratulations to our Blue Ribbon Schools!”
The schools will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education to apply to be National Blue Ribbon Schools. With underwriting and gift sponsors, each school will receive a Maryland Blue Ribbon Flag, a monetary prize, $1000 in office supplies, interactive technology equipment, and a school Congratulations Party. A dinner in Annapolis will be held in honor of the winning schools on March 11, 2019. On that date, each Blue Ribbon School will be honored by the Maryland House of Delegates and the Senate.
Maryland’s Platinum sponsors for the Blue Ribbon program are BGE; Comcast; Microsoft; and NTA Life. Gift sponsors are: Mrs. Field’s/Joe Corbi’s Pizza; Rudolph’s Office Supply; Lifetouch Photography; and SMART Technologies, Inc.