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ACPS School One of Only Six to be Recognized for Achievement, Improvement
 On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, six Maryland schools were selected as 2008 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education, and Allegany County’s own Cresaptown Elementary School was among the honorees. In December of last year Cresaptown was recognized as a Maryland Blue Ribbon School after which time the school’s principal, Roxanne Reuse, completed the national application to compete with other schools across the nation for National Blue Ribbon School honors. “The teamwork in this building really paid off. I am very proud of everyone at our school,” stated Reuse.
According to State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Nancy Grasmick, “Maryland’s Blue Ribbon Schools serve as examples for our state and for the rest of the nation. They exemplify high levels of achievement or dramatic improvement among economically disadvantaged students. They show everyone that we can close the achievement gap and raise the level of education in the state.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at very high levels. Cresaptown Elementary School, along with the other Maryland schools honored, was recommended by the Maryland State Department of Education and selected on the basis of the following national criteria: assessment results and student achievement, curriculum and instruction, the professional development of teachers, and school leadership structure.
Cresaptown Elementary School is the first Allegany County School to earn state and national Blue Ribbon School status. “Everyone associated with the school should be extremely proud of this unique accomplishment. I am pleased to extend congratulations to faculty, administration, students, parents, and staff for this prestigious award” stated Dr. William AuMiller, Allegany County Superintendent of Schools.
Cresaptown Elementary School is continuously encouraging high student achievement. In 2008, 87.8% of its third graders, 98.8% of fourth graders, and 97.9% of fifth graders were proficient or advanced in reading on the MSAs. Additionally, 89.8% of third graders and 100% of fourth and fifth graders were proficient or advanced in math on the MSAs. It has also received the Maryland Center for Character Education 2007 School of the Year Award for Allegany County, and after review by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Cresaptown received At Standard ratings for all Professional Development Standards and is now officially considered a “professional development school.” Additionally, three school staff members have been recognized as either past or present Allegany County Teachers of the Year.
A total of 320 schools across the nation have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools. They will be honored at an awards ceremony in Arlington, VA, in October.
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