On Wednesday, the students and educators of Success Academy Bed-Stuy 1 Elementary School were joined by Councilmember Robert Cornegy Jr. and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams to celebrate their winning of the National Blue Ribbon Award, reported Kings County Politics.
Based on NY State assessment tests in reading and mathematics, the Bed-Stuy charter school was recognized as an "Exemplary High Performing School" and was ranked in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state.
Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. So far, more than 8,500 schools across the country have been presented with this coveted award which affirms the work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students can thrive.
The SA Bed-Stuy 1 is among nine NYC schools this year, and 349 nationwide, to receive the national honor the U.S. Department of Education awards annually.
"At SA Bed-Stuy 1, we constantly ask ourselves, Would our scholars choose to come to school, even if they didn't have to?" said SA Bed-Stuy 1 Principal Marni Aronson. "The answer is a resounding 'Yes!' This results from setting the bar high while providing endless opportunities for scholars to explore, engage, learn and laugh in our classrooms."
In addition to a focusing on academic excellence in subjects like math and English, the school also offers a variety of electives such as art, sports, musical theater and chess to further enrich the students' experiences, Aronson explained.
"As one of the most segregated school systems in this country, NYC has for too long provided an environment in which too few black and brown children are afforded the greatest opportunity to succeed," said Councilmember Cornegy.
"National Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized for their overall academic excellence and their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, and I congratulate SA Bed-Stuy 1 on this well-deserved award."
