NEW: Worcester Technical High School Named 2013 Blue Ribbon School

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester Technical High School was one of 286 Blue Ribbon Award winners announced on Tuesday by the US Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education has named four schools in Massachusetts as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools including the Worcester Technical High School.

“Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who announced the recipients. “National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education.”

The department announced the awards Tuesday for 286 schools nationwide. Of the winners, 236 were public schools and 50 were private.

Bay State Winners

The program recognized four Massachusetts schools—including Worcester Technical High School, Jonas Clark Middle School (Lexington), New Mission High School (Hyde Park), and Winchester High School.

“This award recognizes all the hard work of our students, faculty and the successful collaboration with community, business and higher education to make this dream a reality,” said Sheila Harrity, Principal of Worcester Technical High School.

According to Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty "we had very high hopes for the new Worcester Technical High School when it was built. This recognition validates the accomplishments of the school and we are very proud."

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which began in 1982, recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first category is “Exemplary High Performing,” in which schools are recognized among their state’s highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is “Exemplary Improving,” in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests.

Since its inception, the program has awarded nearly 7,500 schools.

The Nomination + Review Process

To select National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Department requested nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 420 schools nationwide may be nominated, with allocations determined by the numbers of K-12 students and schools in each jurisdiction. The Secretary of Education invites nominated schools to submit an application for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.

For more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program and to see a full list of winners visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2013/index.html