(Le Mars) — Franklin Elementary School as part of the Le Mars Community School
District was named Wednesday as a “Blue Ribbon School” by the United States
Department of Education. Franklin is one of only four Iowa elementary schools, and one of five Iowa schools overall receiving the designation. The Le Mars Community elementary is one of 329 schools nationwide that received the honor. U-S Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. made the announcement. Blue Ribbon Schools are given the honor based on their overall academic excellence, or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Franklin Elementary school will be formally recognized, along with the 279 other public schools and 50 private schools at an awards ceremony to be held on November 7th at Arlington, Virgina. The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon
Schools flag is recognized as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Dr. Todd Wendt, superintendent of schools for Le Mars Community congratulates the students and faculty of Franklin schools.
Dr. Wendt says the process started when the Iowa Department of Education nominated Franklin elementary for the recognition.
Although this is the first time a Le Mars Community school has received the honor, Wendt believes there have been other years that all the district’s elementary schools have performed well, and perhaps were deserving of the recognition.
Pat Murphy, the president of the Le Mars Community Board of Education says, “This is indeed a great honor, and we are proud of the students, parents, teachers and administrative officials that helped bring this national recognition to the Le Mars Community School District. It goes to show the high level of quality education featured right here in Le Mars”.
