U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 362 schools Thursday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019. The recognition is based on schools’ overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups. Newhall School District has three schools on this year’s list for high academic performance: Oak Hills Elementary, Pico Canyon Elementary and Stevenson Ranch Elementary.

“The tremendous dedication of staff, students and families at each of these schools is to be commended and praised. In an era where the accountability bar has been raised, I am so proud of each of their efforts,” said Superintendent Jeff Pelzel.

“We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees. “As a National Blue Ribbon School, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Oak Hills and Pico Canyon are receiving this coveted recognition for the first time in school history. Stevenson Ranch was previously recognized in 2001 and 2012. Principal Chad Rose of Stevenson Ranch Elementary shared, “I am grateful for the support and teamwork of staff, parents and students that allow for the accomplishments of our students earning us this award.”

Now, in its 37th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 9,000 schools. Previously, McGrath Elementary (2011), Meadows Elementary (1994), Newhall Elementary (1994), and Wiley Canyon Elementary (2007) were recipients of the National Blue Ribbon award in the Newhall School District.

As a first-time recipient, Oak Hills Principal Wendy Maxwell shared, “I’m ecstatic for the hard-working Oak Hills Elementary School community of teachers, students and parents. This recognition for their continued efforts to provide the highest levels of learning and achievement is greatly deserved.”

On November 14th and 15th, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with 312 public and 50 non-public school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“We are excited to be named a National Blue Ribbon School,” stated Pico Canyon Principal Tammi Rainville. “At Pico Canyon, our students’ academic successes are a result of school-wide systems and shared leadership. We operate as a community of leaders and learners. Our shared work and resulting student successes would not take place if we did not emphasize building meaningful relationships with our students and families. At the heart of this Blue Ribbon School is a community of adults that work to create a student-centered environment from the moment a child steps onto our campus!”

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

Superintendent Pelzel added, “Newhall School District has had a long-standing history of academic excellence across all ten of our schools, but to have three schools selected for the National Blue Ribbon Award in the same year is unbelievable.”

About Newhall School District
Newhall School District is home to ten schools, all of which have been recognized as a California Distinguished School. NSD seeks to develop students who are global citizens who think critically, solve problems, persevere, embrace diversity in people and viewpoints, and have a passion for learning and the arts. Our rigorous instructional program enables mastery of Common Core State Standards leading to college and career readiness. We support learning by fostering collaboration, providing relevance to the real world, and using technology in innovative ways.