Pinecrest Academy Among Seven Atlanta Schools Honored

Seven of the 337 schools recognized as National Blue Ribbons Schools for 2014 serve students in metro Atlanta, including Pinecrest Academy in Cumming. These schools were recognized for overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, in addition to demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made the announcement earlier this week.

Schools include:

            The U.S. Department of Education will honor 287 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 10-11 in Washington, D.C. "These great schools are fulfilling the promise of American education—that all students, no matter their name or zip code, can flourish when schools provide safe, creative, and challenging learning environments," Secretary Duncan says. "National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of consistent excellence and a resource for other schools and districts. We celebrate them for their tireless effort and boundless creativity in reaching and teaching every student."

            The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

            All schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates: Exemplary High Performing Schools and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools.