Urbana Elementary School Awarded Maryland Blue Ribbon

The school was awarded this honor last year.

BALTIMORE, MD.   A Frederick County school that was honored with the Maryland Blue Ribbon award last year has been recognized again for 2018. Officials with the Maryland State Department of Education said Urbana Elementary School was among five other schools that had high achievers in reading and mathematics.

The State public schools receiving national honors are:

·     West Towson Elementary School, Baltimore County

·     Urbana Elementary School, Frederick County

·     Fallston Middle School, Harford County

·     Waterloo Elementary School, Howard County

·     Bannockburn Elementary School, Montgomery County

·     Luxmanor Elementary School, Montgomery County

In addition, Harford Day School, a nonpublic school in Harford County, received National Blue Ribbon honors.

Maryland awarded the six public schools State Blue Ribbons in December 2017. Today’s honor verifies the excellence of those schools.

“Education is our number one priority, and these seven schools represent the best of what Maryland has to offer – exceptional teachers working with dedicated students to achieve great success in the classroom and beyond,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We congratulate the leadership, teachers, students, parents, and everyone involved with these outstanding schools on this distinguished honor.”

Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, agreed that outstanding teaching is at the heart of these schools’ success.

“This honor tells us a great deal about a school and how its teachers and administrators work together to help every student shine,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “We celebrate the innovation taking place at these schools. Congratulations to our National Blue Ribbon School students and staff.”

The U.S. Education Department invited National Blue Ribbon School nominations from top education officials in every state. Last year, 329 schools were recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence.

Frederick County – Urbana Elementary School has two special programs integrated in its learning community- inclusive special education pre-kindergarten classes and three classes- one in third, fourth, and fifth grades for students identified as gifted and talented. The school has an average of 70% of all students meeting or exceeding expectations in math and English language arts on the PARCC tests. Urbana is proud of its H.A.W.K. Kids Club – (Helping All With Kindness) – which promotes a culture of kindness around the school community. With the PTA, students participate in community and global outreach activities such as collecting over 500 pairs of socks for Socktober and over $650 in coins to support the National PTA Disaster Relief Fund.  Urbana is proud to have a 97.4% attendance rate and a Buddy Class Program where students mentor other students in different grades. Emphasis is on scholastic achievement along with rigor, relevance, and relationships.

National honors will be awarded on Nov. 7 and 8 in Washington DC, where Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will congratulate the Blue Ribbon recipients.  “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives,” Secretary DeVos said. “Congratulations on your students’ accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”