Ritchie Elementary School has earned one of the most prestigious recognitions in education.
The United States Department of Education announced Tuesday that Ritchie Elementary has been named as a National Blue Ribbon School. Ritchie Elementary School Principal John Jorden, Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller and Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones watched as the Blue Ribbon Schools were named at 1 p.m. on the U.S. Department of Education website.
Jorden then called students and staff members to the school’s gym to inform them of the designation.
“This is our ‘wow’ moment,” Jorden said. “This is the biggest honor a school can receive. We are a National Blue Ribbon School because we have excellent students, the very best staff, wonderful parents and great community support.”
Jorden commended the students and staff members for their positive attitudes and for being respectful and motivated. He also announced that the school would have a blue-themed celebration on Thursday. Miller and Jones congratulated individual students and staff members for the school’s amazing achievement. Jorden then led students in the school cheer.
“Ritchie is our name, Learning is our game.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. With its 40th cohort of awardees, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to over 9,700 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.
The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
