RVE Raises National Blue Ribbon Flag

by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

Rancho Verde Elementary proudly raised National Blue Ribbon School flag at a ceremony Friday morning attended by U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela.

RVE was one of 26 schools in Texas and 342 schools nationally to receive the award.  The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Rancho Verde Elementary was selected as an exemplary high performing school based on five years of standardized testing data. Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is the highest distinction that the U.S. Department of Education can bestow on a school.

RVE had received its plaque and flag from the at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November. Receiving the awards were RVE Principal Maria Elisa Pineda and Dyxlexia Supplemental Services (DSS) teacher Darcy Boles.

After the ceremony, Vela went inside the school and visited with two fifth-grade classrooms.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,500 schools. All schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates.