Carmel Clay Schools’ West Clay Elementary Named One of the Best in the Nation

U.S Secretary of Education, John B. King, Jr., announced today that West Clay Elementary has been named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School. West Clay Elementary is one among 279 public and 50 private schools receiving this national honor. 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. The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

West Clay Elementary was nominated for the award by Indiana State Department of Education and then selected as one of the few schools across the nation to receive the impressive status of Exemplary High Performing School by the U.S Department of Education.

To be eligible to be a high performing school, schools must score at the highest performance level on tests referenced by the national norms in the most recent year tested. This means that schools must rank in the top 15 percent of all schools on state assessments in both reading and mathematics. Each subgroup of students at the school must also be in the top 40 percent in the state on state assessments.

“It is a privilege and an honor for West Clay Elementary to receive the coveted title of being named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2016,” said Dr. Nicholas D. Wahl, Superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools. “This award is a testament to the teamwork, dedication and outstanding efforts by our students, parents and teachers who inspire learning and achievement on a daily basis. This award reinforces our mission of providing opportunities for all students to realize their potential in an ever-changing world.”

West Clay Elementary Principal Jennifer Szuhaj, Assistant Principal Catherine Elder and a teacher representative will attend the two-day award ceremony in Washington, D.C., to celebrate their outstanding achievement.

“We are thrilled to be given this honor,” said West Clay Elementary Principal Jennifer Szuhaj. “The teachers and staff have a passion for education and are one of the most dedicated, hardworking and caring group of individuals I know. Our goal here at West Clay Elementary is to focus on the whole child—the academic and social emotional well-being of each student in order to help them reach their fullest potential. In addition, we are thankful for the strong and collaborative relationship we have with West Clay Elementary parents who have also helped make this honor possible.”

For more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, please http://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/