Two schools earn Blue Ribbon honor

Two of the state’s highest-performing public elementary schools were recognized Wednesday as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Helemano Elementary in Wahiawa and Noelani Elementary in Manoa were among 329 winners nationwide announced by U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. The program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making improvements in closing the achievement gap between high-needs students and their peers.

“Every year, our National Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate that all students can achieve at the highest levels with the support of educators, families and communities,” schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said in a news release. “The award is another validation of all the hard work put into striving for academic success, and we congratulate everyone involved on this tremendous honor.”

At Noelani, standardized test results for the 2014-15 school year show 82 percent of students tested proficient or higher in English language arts, while 80 percent met or exceeded standards for math. The school has limited chronic absenteeism to 2 percent (the percentage of students absent 15 days or more).

Over the past four years, Helemano has increased its achievement in science proficiency by 13 percent to 80 percent of students and has reduced its levels of chronic absenteeism by half to 8 percent. Seventy percent of students met or exceeded standards in English language arts while 67 percent tested proficient or higher in math in 2014-15.

“National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers, King said in a video message to the winners. “Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices … making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation.”

Both Oahu schools are categorized as “recognition” schools, the highest category on the state Department of Education’s school accountability system known as Strive HI. The system recognizes schools for various achievements including on standardized test scores, reducing chronic absenteeism, graduation and college-going rates, and closing the achievement gap.

The U.S. DOE will formally recognize the 279 public schools and 50 private schools at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 7 and 8. Now in its 34th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has recognized fewer than 8,500 schools.