U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. announced today at 1:00 p.m. EST that Northpoint Elementary School is among the 329 schools (eight in Indiana) named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School.

 

Principal Diane Wirth called an all-school assembly shortly after the announcement was made nationally to surprise all the students, teachers and staff with the good news. Students celebrated by singing and dancing the Northpoint School Song. Watch the video and click here to look through the photo gallery below.
 

 

This makes the second time in six years that the Penn-Harris-Madison Four Star School has been recognized with this national honor; the first award was given in 2010. Northpoint has a strong track record of maintaining high standards and helping their students achieve academic success. Nationally, Northpoint is ranked #27 (among 70,000 schools) in the 2016 list of “50 Best American Public Elementary Schools” by TheBestSchools.org.

 

“The belief that ‘It takes a village,’ is truly understood and applied at Northpoint,” said Wirth.  “Our student population is a snapshot of the world’s diversity and culture. We celebrate these unique differences and teach our students to value and respect all. Our success is tied to the strong partnership formed between students, teachers, and parents. Northpoint embodies this ‘Triangle of Success,’ Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s formula for student achievement.”

 

“Today’s award is an affirmation for Northpoint and P-H-M School Corporation that our formula for success works,” said Penn Harris Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “The students are the focus of our Triangle. Their success is possible because they are encouraged and taught by excellent teachers and supported by their parents and families.”

 

Recognized as an Exemplary High Performing Blue Ribbon School, Northpoint teachers consistently instill a can-do attitude in students. Using formative assessments, teachers are able to pinpoint the needs of each child. Teaching is data-driven and infused with high expectations. Northpoint boasts a well-rounded education where the arts and music programs enrich the students’ experiences.

 

Nine National Blue Ribbons have been awarded to P-H-M Schools. The tally includes Penn High School in 1994, 1995 and 2001; Discovery Middle School in 2006 and 2013; Prairie Vista in 1996 and 2015; and Northpoint Elementary School in 2010 and 2016.

 

The Department of Education will honor 279 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony at in Washington, DC to be held on Monday and Tuesday, November 7 and 8, 2016. In its 34-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on more than 7,500 of America's schools.

 

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

 

All schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student 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. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past five years. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels.

 

The 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. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 420 schools nationwide may be nominated each year.