24 May 2002
School Is One of Only 172 in the Nation to Win This Year's Honor
DALLAS--The U. S. Department of Education on Friday announced that George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy (7-8) was named a 2001-2002 Blue Ribbon School, making the school one of only 172 secondary schools in the nation to be recognized this year.
This is the fourth time a DISD school has received the honor. In previous years, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Stonewall Jackson Elementary School and Walnut Hill Elementary School had been cited by the agency.
"My students, staff and parents are proud and honored to receive the Blue Ribbon Award," said Vivian Taylor, principal at the school. "Receiving the award validates our commitment to academic excellence."
The award will be presented in October at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The 18-year-old Blue Ribbon Schools program spotlights some of the nation's most successful schools by honoring excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement and parental involvement. Selection of Blue Ribbon Schools is based on an evaluation of written materials from the nominated schools and the reports of experienced principals and teachers who visit the nominated schools. Reviewers make recommendations to the U. S. Secretary of Education for final selection.
Elementary and secondary schools participate in alternate years with middle schools participating in the program with high schools. Schools selected for recognition have conducted a thorough self-evaluation involving administrators, teachers, students, parents and community representatives in the completion of their nomination forms. This process included assessing their strengths and weaknesses and developing strategic plans for the future.