Forsyth's Daves Creek Elementary a National Blue Ribbon School

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized 286 schools as the 2013 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools, based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in improving student academic achievement. One of those schools was Forsyth County’s Daves Creek Elementary School.

“It is an honor and privilege to be recognized as a National School of Excellence,” Principal Eric Ashton said in a release. “It validates all the hard work and effort that our students, teachers, staff and parents have put in over the years.”

The department will honor 236 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 18 to 19 in Washington, D.C. In its 31-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,500 of America’s schools.

“Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers,” Duncan said in a release. “National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education.”  

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of achievement.

The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first category is “Exemplary High Performing,” in which schools are recognized among their state’s highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is “Exemplary Improving,” in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. 

Forsyth County is also home to two other National Blue Ribbon Schools, two-time winner Otwell Middle School and three-time winner Big Creek Elementary School. 

The list of the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools also includes two Cobb County schools, one school each in Fulton, Marietta, Newton, Hall and Webster.