Twelve public charter schools were among 269 schools recognized as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education for demonstrating academic gains and success in closing the achievement gap. “Great schools don’t happen by chance. Great schools happen by design,” Secretary Arne Duncan said in a speech announcing the awards.
NAPCS congratulates these charter schools that are setting a high standard of excellence and using innovative charter models to bring students to greater levels of academic achievement. The 12 public charter schools that earned the 2012 Blue Ribbon Award are:
Tongass School of Arts and Sciences—Ketchikan, Alaska
Challenger Basic School—Gilbert, Arizona
Summit Middle Charter School—Boulder, Colorado
City On A Hill Charter Public School—Roxbury, Massachusetts
Team Academy—Waseca, Minnesota
Albany Community Charter School—Albany, New York
Bronx Charter School for Excellence—Bronx, New York
Success Academy Harlem 1—New York, New York
KIPP Reach College Preparatory School—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Infinity Charter School—Penbrook, Pennsylvania
East Early College High School—Houston, Texas
Project Chrysalis Middle School—Houston, Texas
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are high performing or have improved student achievement to high levels, especially among disadvantaged students. The program is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s larger effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best practices around teaching and school leadership.
