Rugby High School Named as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023
Rugby Public School District #5 received notification that we obtained Exemplary High-Performing School recognition by the United States Department of Education. State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler nominated the district after we met the criteria. This includes performance of our students on state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics. It also includes student growth on state assessments, performance in other subjects on state assessments, graduation rates, or other indicators in the state’s accountability system. RPSD completed an application highlighting our district practices and was eventually selected as a National Blue Ribbon School, which is the nation’s highest honor for schools.
Today at 1:00 pm, U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardova, will recognize 353 schools across the country as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. Rugby High School will be one of the schools. Here is an excerpt from the NBRS Press Release:
“While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.”
There are very few opportunities to showcase the impressive efforts of our educators, support staff, and learners within our schools. We are honored to be chosen for this award, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our educators. RPSD was selected for our academic performance, but within our application, we chose to highlight our work on improving the social and emotional well-being of our learners.
Our district’s mission statement is, “To cultivate relationships and to promote academic growth of every student every day.” Over the past decade, the district has been intentional about developing relationships with students and their families, while removing barriers to access mental health services in their rural community. This includes creating a grassroots mentorship program, where every student has a trusted relationship with an adult in the school. Resources have been realigned to provide therapy options in a community that lacks them due to the distance to an urban area. We believe that this focus on the whole child has played a role in improving student outcomes. Through these programs, student absenteeism and suspensions have decreased, while student grades and test scores have improved. Students have also reported feeling more connected to their school and their community. Rugby School District is committed to continuing to focus on the social and emotional well-being of its students and believes that this is essential for their success in school and in life.
The Rugby Early Learning Center, Ely Elementary, Little Flower School, and Rugby High School do a tremendous job preparing our learners for academic success while supporting their social and emotional well-being.
This award includes a ceremony at Washington D.C. on November 16-17 and will include representatives from our school district. We will plan a local celebration to officially recognize the efforts of our educators. Congratulations to our school community on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023!
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael McNeff
Superintendent of Schools
Go Panthers!
