Monte Vista Elementary named a Blue Ribbon School

APS elementary one of three schools in New Mexico, and 353 nationwide selected for the honor.

Students and staff at Monte Vista Elementary have a big reason to celebrate.

The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday recognized Monte Vista Elementary as an Exemplary High Performing School and bestowed the coveted Blue Ribbon School designation upon it. Monte Vista is one of just three schools in New Mexico and 353 nationwide to receive the honor this year.

“I’m extraordinarily proud of the students and staff at Monte Vista for earning this designation,” said Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Scott Elder. “This school is a jewel, and I’m excited that it’s getting the recognition it deserves.”

The award is based on Monte Vista’s overall academic performance.

Principal Cicely Ryan announced the award to her community in a letter, calling it a huge honor for the school.

“I’m a firm believer that a school can only be as strong as its community, and I’m here to tell you that we’ve got an amazing community here at Monte Vista Elementary School,” she wrote. “This honor belongs to each and every one of you, from our teachers, students, and administrators to our parents, custodians, and bus drivers. Our success would not be possible without all that you do.”

She pledged that Monte Vista would continue working hard to live up to the amazing honor.

Other New Mexico schools receiving the Blue Ribbon designation on Tuesday were Lincoln Elementary in Gallup and Lydia Rippey Elementary in Aztec.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham praised the schools in a news release.

“I want to congratulate these teachers, administrators, students, and their families on their hard work to achieve Blue Ribbon Status,” she said. “This is what we can accomplish when we focus on supporting educators and creating classroom environments that make learning accessible for all students.”

State Education Secretary Arsenio Romero also congratulated the three New Mexico schools winning the designation, saying each one of them “offers us something to be inspired by and something to aspire to.”

The U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon School Program recognizes public and private schools for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. All three New Mexico schools were recognized for their overall academic performance.

“The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement,” the U.S. Department of Education said in its news release.