The U.S. Department of Education announced that Hamilton Southeastern’s Sand Creek Intermediate School was named a 2007 No Child Left Behind- Blue Ribbon School on October 2. Kristine Cohn, Regional Representative for the U.S. Department of Education, honored Sand Creek’s staff and student body with the award at a special convocation Friday, October 12.
“Once again, we are thrilled by this recognition from the U.S. Department of Education. There is no higher honor bestowed by our federal government on public, private, or parochial schools for exemplary attainment in education,” said Dr. Concetta Raimondi, HSE superintendent. “The Sand Creek Intermediate administration, faculty, and staff are to be commended for their uncommon commitment to excellence. Indeed, this school exemplifies the vision and dedication that is abundant throughout Hamilton Southeastern Schools.”
“Having served four years as assistant principal prior to my current role as principal, I have been amazed watching the staff grow in so many ways,” said Principal Chad Hudson. “From teachers to counselors to all support staff, these professionals will never be commended enough for all that they do for our students. Earning this award is a direct reflection on their daily efforts. They continue to go above and beyond my expectations. I am so very proud of their accomplishments.”
Both Hamilton Southeastern High School and Hamilton Southeastern Junior High previously were named Blue Ribbon Schools. The U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recognized 287 schools in the United States as Blue Ribbon Award Schools this year. One of the most prestigious education awards in the country, it distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. Eight other schools in Indiana were honored this year: Burris Laboratory School, Muncie; Carmel Middle School, Carmel; Lakeside Elementary School, Indianapolis; Saint Pius X Catholic School, Indianapolis; Childs Elementary School, Bloomington; Cooks Corners Elementary School, Valparaiso; South Haven Elementary, Valparaiso; and Hayden Elementary, Hayden.
The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. Schools are selected based one of two criteria: 1) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; and 2) schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests.
