Two AMSD schools — School of Engineering and Arts (Robbinsdale Area Schools) and Wayzata Central Middle School — have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018 by the U.S. Department of Education. The schools were chosen for their overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups.

Schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student group scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among the state’s highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among the state’s highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students over the past five years.

Both schools were recognized as Exemplary High Performing Schools.

Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said the awards set a high example for other schools in the state to follow.

“Our teachers and educators deserve so much credit for their focus on equity and ensuring all kids get an excellent education,” Casselius said. “Our Blue Ribbon Schools set the bar high and we look forward to learning from their success. Congratulations to this year’s awardees.”

Schools will be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education on Nov. 7-8, at awards ceremony in Washington D.C.

Central Middle School is recognized In a video by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Robbinsdale is recognized at the 9:05 mark, and Wayzata is recognized at 9:10.

• Link: Read the MDE announcement

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDE/bulletins/211b9db

• Link: Read the Star Tribune article

http://www.startribune.com/eight-minnesota-schools-receive-federal-blue-ribbon-recognition/495076651/