It’s one of six in the state.
Baltimore, Md (KM) Six schools in the state have made the grade. The Maryland State Department of Education says these schools have been named state Blue Ribbon Schools, and one of them is Urbana High School. The announcement was made Tuesday by Governor Larry Hogan.
This isn’t the first time a Frederick County public school has been named a Blue Ribbon School. “We’ve had many Blue Ribbon Schools in Frederick County,” says Board of Education President Brad Young. “I think what stands Frederick County out is our community and parental involvement, our outstanding teachers and staff and students that are dedicated to being the best that they can be.”
The other schools named Blue Ribbon Schools in Maryland are Pinewood Elementary School in Baltimore County; Mount Harmony Elementary School in Calvert County; Clarksville Middle School in Howard County; Glenarden Woods Elementary School in Prince George’s County; and Ocean City Elementary School in Worcester County.
MSDE spokesman Bill Reinhard says the US Department of Education will be inviting these schools to apply to become National Blue Ribbon Schools. “Maryland has done this so long and so well–quite honestly because we have such good schools–that those schools have a better than average chance of being named National Blue Ribbon honorees,” he says.
Reinhard also says the Maryland State Department of Education chooses the state’s Blue Ribbons schools and it looks at two factors. “They have to help their students perform well, performing on our state standardized assessments. And they have to help students who might come from circumstances of poverty, and help them improve,” he said. “Urbana does well on both counts. Their students have really achieved at a very high level.”
Urbana High will receive a Maryland Blue Ribbon flag, gifts, and prizes for classroom use, along with a school-wide celebration. The school will also be honored by the Maryland House of Delegates and the State Senate at a dinner in Annapolis, according to the Frederick County Public School System. The State Superintendent, elected officials, corporate sponsors and other dignitaries will visit Urbana High during a Blue Ribbon tour of excellence, the School System says in a news released. No date was given.
Other Frederick County Schools which have received National Blue Ribbon designation are:: Urbana Elementary in 2018; Centerville Elementary in 2017; Kemptown Elementary in 2015; New Market Elementary in 2010; Windsor Knolls Middle in 2002; Middletown High in 1998; Yellow Springs Elementary in 1994; Frederick and Linganore High Schools in 1993; Governor Thomas Johnson High in 1991; MIddletown Elementary in 1990; and Middletown High in 1987.
By Kevin McManus