Good News Today In Cherokee County, GA

ETOWAH HIGH NAMED NATIONAL
BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

Etowah High School today was chosen as a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. Etowah is one of only six schools in Georgia and 304 nationwide to earn this honor.

"I congratulate Principal Keith Ball, the faculty, staff, parents, and students. Etowah High School is a great example of how education can work. Everyone involved has put in a lot of hard work to make this happen. We should all be proud of this great accomplishment." said Senate Majority Leader and Etowah football announcer Chip Rogers.

From the Georgia Department of Education:

September 9, 2010 -- Six Georgia public schools were named 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools today. "These six schools are outstanding examples of how high expectations and hard work can lead to outstanding student achievement," said State Superintendent of Schools Brad Bryant. "These schools show that, regardless of a school's size, geography or demographics, all students can achieve at high levels." The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the National Blue Ribbon School award winners this morning.
(See U.S. Department of Education Release) Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen in two categories (see the full criteria descriptions):

- HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS: Schools that scored in the top 10 percent in student achievement.
- DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED SCHOOLS: Schools with at least 40 percent economically disadvantaged students that have dramatically improved student achievement to high levels.

One Georgia private school was also named a National Blue Ribbon School. The selection process for private schools is different. For more information, go to http://www.capenet.org/brs.html. Georgia's winning schools will join other national winners at an awards ceremony on November 15 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information on the Blue Ribbon Schools program, go to the Blue Ribbon Schools website at http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html.

2010 GEORGIA BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

Public
- Etowah High, Cherokee County
- Gainesville High, Gainesville City Schools
- Ila Elementary, Madison County
- Johnson Elementary, Floyd County
- J.S. Pate Elementary, Crisp County
- Webb Bridge Middle, Fulton County

Private
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, Hapeville