Six Maryland Public Schools Named 2018-19 State Blue Ribbon Honorees

Program Spotlights High Achievement

BALTIMORE – Six Maryland public schools today were selected as 2018-19 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools. All six were selected as an Exemplary High Performing School, one of the U.S. Department of Education’s two categories. The schools are being honored today by Governor Larry Hogan and Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools.

The schools are:

· Pinewood Elementary School, Baltimore County
· Mount Harmony Elementary School, Calvert County
· Urbana High School, Frederick County
· Clarksville Middle School, Howard County
· Glenarden Woods Elementary School, Prince George’s County
· Ocean City Elementary School, Worcester County

“Our most important obligation is to the next generation of Marylanders, which is why we want to recognize schools that are doing a great job of giving our kids the opportunities they need and the tools for success that they deserve,” said Governor Hogan. “Each of these outstanding schools are proof that with strong collaboration among dedicated educators, families, and communities we can close the achievement gap and give Maryland’s children hope for a better future. Congratulations to all of our deserving winners.”

“Creating an outstanding learning environment is no easy task; it requires students, teachers, staff, family members and the community to work together toward a common goal,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “Maryland’s Blue Ribbon honorees and their communities build a strong support system, giving our students the tools they need to succeed. Congratulations to our Blue Ribbon Schools!”

The schools will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education to apply to be National Blue Ribbon Schools. With underwriting and gift sponsors, each school will receive a Maryland Blue Ribbon Flag, a monetary prize, $1000 in office supplies, interactive technology equipment, and a school Congratulations Party. A dinner in Annapolis will be held in honor of the winning schools on March 11, 2019. On that date, each Blue Ribbon School will be honored by the Maryland House of Delegates and the Senate.

Maryland’s Platinum sponsors for the Blue Ribbon program are BGE; Comcast; Microsoft; and NTA Life. Gift sponsors are: Mrs. Field’s/Joe Corbi’s Pizza; Rudolph’s Office Supply; Lifetouch Photography; and SMART Technologies, Inc.

2018-19 Maryland Blue Ribbon School Profiles

EACH 2018-19 MARYLAND BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL HAS BEEN SELECTED IN THE CATEGORY OF EXEMPLARY HIGH ACHIEVING SCHOOL, HAVING SCORED IN THE TOP 15 PERCENT OF ALL MARYLAND SCHOOLS ON THE 2018 PARCC ASSESSMENTS

Baltimore County – Pinewood Elementary School – Principal – Beatrice Rueter / Interim Superintendent Verletta White

Pinewood Elementary School, serving students for over 52 years, has outstanding preschool and pre-k programs for students in need of early intervention.  On the PARCC assessment, 84.4% of its students scored proficient or higher on mathematics and English Language Arts.  Attendance at over 96% exceeds the state standard.  According to the new ESSA accountability system, Pinewood earned 5 out of 5 stars, and a percentile rank of 99%.  Pinewood received distinction in 2008 as a Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education school.  They also serve as a Professional Development School with Goucher College and Towson University.  Pinewood supports community members through programs such as, “Festival of Trees,” “Harvest for the Hungry,” and holiday music and gifts at Oak Crest Village.

Calvert County – Mount Harmony Elementary School – Principal – Charles Treft / Superintendent Dr. Daniel Curry

At Mount Harmony Elementary School, 77% of students met or exceeded standards on the Md PARCC exams with close to 16% of fourth and fifth graders increasing their achievement over the prior year. On the new ESSA accountability, the school earned 5 stars. It has a thriving regional ESOL and Functional Life Skills classroom. Students in grades K – 5 are provided weekly STEAM activities and routinely collaborate between grade levels to share learning activities. Over 25% of the students extend daily instruction by participating in after-school clubs. The school also provides every student with social and emotional learning activities including a 60 foot tall “kindness tree” and events such as the Angel Tree, End Hunger and USO donations. There are more than 70 students in the Student Council and parents are encouraged to visit their child’s classroom throughout the school year for Dad’s and Mom’s days.

Frederick County – Urbana High School – Principal David Kehne / Superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban

Urbana High School’s Core 4 Values of respect, unity, integrity, and pride are infused in all aspects of the school. There is pride in the 78% of all students who were proficient and above on PARCC tests and the 5 stars ESSA accountability rating. By the end of their first year, nearly 98% of freshmen are on track for graduation. By their senior year, 97% of students have taken rigorous offerings in International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and dual enrollment courses, or in career-technology courses leading to industry certifications. Last year, Urbana students passed 95% of 318 IB exams and 70% of 1336 AP exams. The school boasts a graduation rate of over 96%. Urbana’s students have a long-term track record of effective fund raising, including over $150,000 for pediatric cancer research and $100,000 to support special education programs in Frederick County.

Howard County – Clarksville Middle School – Principal – Dr. Karim Shortridge / Superintendent – Dr. Michael Martirano

Clarksville Middle School has achieved PARCC scores with an average of 85% of all students meeting or exceeding expectations in math and English language arts and earned 5 stars on the ESSA accountability system. Students take an active role in many school-wide activities, including celebrating inclusion, planning cultural nights and coordinating various philanthropic efforts. Clarksville Middle has a proud reputation of success in academic competitions. Last year, its Math Counts team placed 2nd at the state level. Many students compete in the National History Day competition, where students often advance to the county and state levels. Annually, students compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee, where several students have advanced to compete at the national level. With a robust performing arts program, students consistently receive superior ratings at county-level music assessments.

Prince George’s County – Glenarden Woods Elementary School – Principal Cecelia Jones-Bowlding / Interim Superintendent Dr. Monica Goldson

Glenarden Woods Elementary is proud of its PARCC results with 82% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in English Language Arts and 79% in mathematics and its 5 star ESSA rating. With 55% of the students identified as economically disadvantaged, there is not a gap in student performance on PARCC with 72% in Math and 82% in ELA. Students work on an accelerated program through the district’s TAG curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM). Glenarden Woods has a beautiful new building that is designated as a LEED school. The school also has extended day clubs with several recognized locally and nationally. Two Destination Imagination Teams participated in the Global Competitions and the Science Bowl Teams won four championships. Glenarden Woods, also partners with Bowie State University in supporting future teachers of America.

Worcester County – Ocean City Elementary School – Principal – Dawn Rogers / Superintendent Dr. Louis Taylor

Ocean City Elementary School achieves with an average of 76% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in Math and English Language Arts on the PARCC exams. Kindergarten Readiness Assessments showed 79% of its students to be kindergarten ready for the 2018/19 school year. Also, 77% of the school’s ELL students made progress in achieving English Language Proficiency per ACCESS 2.0. The school has partnered with a local hospital and the University of Maryland Center for Health Literacy to develop health literacy standards and lessons that are now shared throughout the county, and this program has been presented at National Conferences. The School is proud of its Stand Up, Speak Up program that encourages students to have courage for themselves, empathy for others and tolerance for all. The OC Stars, a music performance group at the school, has also delighted the community for nearly 3 decades.