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-39118-479762For Immediate ReleaseSeptember 25, 2020 Media Contacts:John WhiteQACPS CommunicationsJohn.L.White@ U.S. Department of Education Press Office(202) 401-1576 or press@BAYSIDE ELEMENTARY NAMED 2020 EXEMPLARYHIGH PERFORMING NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLCENTREVILLE, MD – On Thursday, September 24, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized Bayside Elementary School in Stevensville, Md., among 367 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on each school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. “Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” Secretary DeVos said. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”Bayside ES was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2020 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School, acknowledging its students’ success as an inspiring example of how teachers, parents, and community leaders can work together to help students prepare for what comes next.“Bayside Elementary is without a doubt successful because it has tremendous community support, great teachers, and an outstanding instructional leader as principal,” QACPS Superintendent Dr. Andrea M. Kane said. “I could not be prouder of all they have accomplished.”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. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.? The Education 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 – These are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The U.S. Education Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).“I have always said Bayside Elementary is the best-kept secret in Queen Anne’s County, and I hope this award makes everyone take notice of our students and what a wonderful school we have. I am so very proud of our staff and students, and my leadership team,” Bayside Elementary School principal Louisa Welch said. Bayside Elementary School was named one of six new Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools in December 2019. The Maryland State Department of Education reviewed the latest state assessment data to identify state-level blue ribbons schools. It also reviewed schools in the top 15 percentile on English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments for all tested students with subgroup performance in at least the top 40 percent.Bayside Elementary School shined with a 5-star rating in Maryland’s school accountability system and an average of 61 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards in ELA and math in the Maryland Comprehensive Assistance Program (MCAP). Bayside ES provides a well-rounded education to students in grades 3-5 and is home to the regional Program for Children with Autism and Related Disorders. Bayside ES’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program promotes positive student behavior. Students have access to individual Chromebooks and receive balanced traditional and digital instruction. The school attendance rate was 94.6 percent and Bayside ES has held Green School certification since 2018. The school also supports many community activities and student-led projects. The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13. While we regret not having the opportunity to celebrate in person, given the current situation regarding COVID-19, we will celebrate the 317 public and 50 non-public school honorees in the ways that we are able, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at . ### ................
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