LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Pulaski County Special School District’s Pine Forest Elementary is one of three schools in Arkansas selected by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.

The school is one of 356 schools in the country to receive this award and falls into the category of “Exemplary Schools for Closing Achievement Gap”.

“This award demonstrates the perseverance, dedication and hard work of the staff at Pine Forest Elementary,” said Yolanda Thomas, principal. “I am so grateful that we have teachers who are committed to our school and strive to meet each student where they are. Everyone at Pine Forest is committed to helping our students reach their highest potential.”

The schools selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools of 2024 are an example of the diversity of the American education system and the different backgrounds it serves.

Although the selection of these award-winning schools is diverse, they all share similar characteristics that they embody: The educational leaders demonstrate “a clear vision of educational excellence and maintain high standards.”

These schools offer effective teaching practices, robust professional development for staff, data-driven instruction, a commitment to ensuring the success of each student, and collaboration between families, communities and educators.

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of the students and teachers at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools raise the bar for our nation’s students and serve as models of effective instruction and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, we should look to these schools for inspiration as we advocate for education as the foundation for a better future for every child.”

National Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized as examples of innovative and effective practices that educators across the country should emulate.

The Department uses assessment scores, the performance of individual student subgroups, and graduation rates to determine the success of the practices used by these schools.

Schools are recognized in one or both of the following performance categories:

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools: These schools are among the highest-performing schools in their state, as measured by state assessments or nationally standardized tests.
• Exemplary schools for closing achievement gaps: These schools are characterized by their ability to close achievement gaps between different groups of students and the student body as a whole.

Each school seeking nomination goes through an application process that details the school’s culture, programs, assessments, teaching methods, professional development, leadership, family and community involvement.

About 420 schools have been nominated for the title of National Blue Ribbon Schools. The nominations come from every state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education, and private schools nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

For schools selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools, a recognition ceremony is held each November in Washington, DC.

These ceremonies provide school leaders and supporters with the opportunity to network, share ideas, and speak with USDE representatives about various aspects of education.

All National Blue Ribbon Schools are honored with a National Blue Ribbon School flag and plaque, presented at a lively awards dinner.