Boley Elementary was recognized on Tuesday as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Boley, under the leadership of Principal Sandy Bates, is one of just 353 schools nationally to receive the recognition, which is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.
I am truly amazed at the resiliency of the Boley family – students, faculty, staff – and the Boley community,” Mrs. Bates said. “It continues to amaze me how teachers and students at Boley Elementary can keep improving year after year.”
“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
“As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”
Boley is the third school in the Ouachita Parish School District and the first district school in 17 years to receive this prestigious honor. George Welch Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2006 and A.L. Smith (now Sterlington Elementary) received the recognition in 2004.
This is the second time in as many years that Boley Elementary has been recognized for its achievements. Last December, Boley was named a Louisiana Comeback Campus, an award that recognizes the impact educators have made the students despite facing extraordinary obstacles over the past two years.
In April 2019, lightning struck Boley Elementary, sparking a fire that consumed the whole school. Boley faculty and students spent the remainder of the school year scattered among different schools, and then spent the next three years in a rented building. The newly constructed Boley Elementary in the same location as the old school opened in August 2022.
"We have known for a long time in Ouachita Parish the strength of Boley Elementary through the years,” said Todd Guice, Ouachita Parish Superintendent. “Being able to rise from the aftermath of the tragedy of April 2019 to achieve the status of a National Blue Ribbon School is phenomenal and a true testament to the leadership, staff, and students at Boley. We could not be prouder of this accomplishment."
The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
• Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.
*THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED WITH REACTIONS AND QUOTES FROM PRINCIPAL SANDY BATES AND BOLEY FACULTY*
ABOUT THE NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS PROGRAM
With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background.
While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning.
Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation.
A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
