Six Maryland schools today were selected as 2005 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The six elementary schools were the only Maryland schools nominated for the honor.  They are:

• Folger McKinsey Elementary School, Severna Park, Anne Arundel County
• Sparks Elementary School, Sparks, Baltimore County
• Clarksville Elementary School, Clarksville, Howard County
• Rock Hall Elementary School, Rock Hall, Kent County
• Viers Mill Elementary School, Silver Spring, Montgomery County
• Showell Elementary School, Berlin, Worcester County

"These schools serve as examples for Maryland and the rest of the nation," said State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick. "They exemplify high levels of achievement or dramatic improvement of economically disadvantaged students. They show everyone how we can close the achievement gap and raise the level of education in the state. I want to congratulate the students, teachers, parents, administrators, and community members of these schools for this wonderful achievement.”

The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at very high levels.  This year, 295 schools are being recognized for the honor.

The six schools were selected on the basis of national criteria. Four are in the top 10 percent of all Maryland schools at their specific level (elementary) as measured by Maryland assessments. Two are economically disadvantaged schools that demonstrated dramatic improvement on the state assessments over at least the past three years.

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