Fourteenth Street School was recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as one of 342  National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Fourteenth Street School educates students in Pre-K to Grade 3, and joins James F. Doughty School and Bangor High School as Bangor School Department’s third National Blue Ribbon School. “We’re honored to be recognized for our efforts to provide every student with the opportunity to achieve academic excellence,” said Dr. Betsy Webb, Superintendent of Schools.

“National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to the honorees. “You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,500 schools. On Nov. 6-7, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with these honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.