Four Area Schools Receive National Honor
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Two Dallas ISD schools and two area private schools have been named 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made the announcement Tuesday while recognizing 335 schools across the nation for their academic excellence or for making exemplary progress in closing the achievement gap.
Trinidad "Trini" Garza Early College High School at Mountain View College, and Harry Stone Montessori School both received the coveted award.
Both campuses serve a student body where the vast majority of its students are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Students enrolled at Garza ECHS have the opportunity to earn both their high school diploma and an associate's degree at graduation.
"Dallas ISD continues to work to raise the bar on student achievement. Garza ECHS and Harry Stone are excellent examples of the strides we are making, and we're very proud of them," said Interim Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. "Both schools are meeting the expectation we have for all our campuses: to ensure all students are excelling regardless of background. They are setting the bar high. This is a honor that is well deserved."
"Mountain View College is privileged to count the students at Garza ECHS as part of our MVC family, " said Dr. Robert Garza, president of Mountain View College. "The staff and administrators worked diligently with students to achieve this award, and we celebrate with them as they continue to ensure their students are college ready, career ready and life ready."
Garza Early College High and Harry Stone Montessori are among 285 public and 50 private schools to be honored at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 9-10 in Washington, D.C.
Bishop Kevin Farrell is also very pleased with the news that two of the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Dallas, All Saints Catholic School and Christ The King, have been designated as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015 based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
Here is video of students at All Saints Catholic School celebrating the great news.
"This honor recognizes your students' accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success," Duncan stated in a video message to recipients. "Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction, and strong relationships in school and with your community. You represent excellence—in vision, in implementation, and in results—and we want to learn as much as we can from you."
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