Beckham Elementary Gets National Blue Ribbon
SW MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) - Decked out in her white and red uniform, Emily Goiricelaya is cheering for her school and she has a lot to celebrate.
She's one of the reasons why Ethel K Beckham Elementary in southwest Miami-Dade is one of the 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The award is given to public and private K-12 schools where students have achieved high levels. The school also ranked 5th among all elementary schools in the state. Click Here for the statewide list.
Beckham's students are quick to say why they believe the school has made it to the top.
"It has to do with the marvelous teachers, the students how motivated they are, the assistant principal and the principal," Goiricelaya said.
Maria Tavel-Visiedo said each day presents its own challenges. Most of their students come from poor homes and about a third of the school is limited in English proficiency.
"This is a school where 76 percent of the students come from disadvantaged homes, they are eligible for reduced and subsidized lunch," said Tavel-Visiedo.
Despite the low income households, Beckham's students are achieving high grades.
"It's how the student, it's how the character of the student is, even if you have low income you can go above and beyond," Goiricelaya said.
And that is exactly what they've done at Beckham, helping the school keep an A+ for another year.
"We strive to excel, not too compete to excel, and I think those are all reasons for our successes," said Tavel-Visiedo.
Click Here for more information on National Blue Ribbon Schools.
