Ruskin Elementary School has earned national recognition from the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE), Inc., through its national validation assessment process and has met the required criteria to earn the prestigious 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Award, the highest award given by the BRSE organization. This achievement makes Ruskin Elementary School the first in the Ware County School District (WCSD) to be recognized and named as a BRSE Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School by BRSE, Inc. The National Blue Ribbon Program is a separate organization recognizing schools in the top 15% in their respective states.
The rigorous BRSE process evaluates selected schools across the following key performance areas of high-performing schools to achieve this distinguished award: Student Focus and Support, School Organization and Culture, Challenging Standards and Curriculum, Active Teaching and Learning, Technology Integration, Professional Community, Leadership and Educational Vitality, and School-Family-Community Partnerships and Indicators of Success. The comprehensive review by Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence assessors included surveys and interviews of stakeholders, students, parents, teachers, and members of the administration, and a two-day intensive school assessment in which every classroom was visited by Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence assessors.
“Hats off to the students, faculty, staff, and parents of Ruskin Elementary for the hard work and commitment they invested in order to earn the designation of a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School,” said Mr. Bert Smith, WCSD Superintendent. “Earning the status of a Lighthouse School is no easy feat. The Ware County School District is incredibly proud of this accomplishment and everything that went into making this lofty goal a reality. Some schools work for a couple of years or more to gain this level of recognition, while others never achieve it. Ruskin accomplished this task in a matter of months simply because they didn’t have to change much in order to achieve the recognition. They were already doing the work. Ruskin Elementary is a very special school and it is an honor to celebrate this success with them," he explained.
Principal Donna Solomon exclaimed, “To receive this prestigious recognition brings an even stronger sense of pride to the whole Ruskin Elementary Jaguar community! We have received this recognition because of the tremendous work manifested by our students, faculty, staff, and families. We have always known what a special place this is, and it is validating that Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc. bestowed us its highest honor! Through this process, it is evident that Ruskin is fulfilling the many learning needs of all students by fostering a collaborative, innovative, and supportive learning environment.”
Dr. Judy Warden Fields, CEO of Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc. applauds Ruskin Elementary School for working so diligently to fulfill the many learning needs of all students. Ruskin Elementary and Principal Solomon will be honored at the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference in Orlando, Florida on December 5th. The faculty and staff join a dynamic environment of educators across the nation to collaborate, network, and share expertise and exemplary practices with other schools on a local, regional, and national level that enables all students to achieve through measurable academic achievement who seek guidance and assistance in school improvement initiatives.
Designation as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School spans five years after which Ruskin Elementary will be eligible for renewal of this recognition. Donna Solomon is the principal of Ruskin Elementary School.
Pictured left to right: IC Linsey Hayman, AP Lisa Crosby, Becky Ballentine, BRSE Assessor, Dr. Alicia Early, BRSE Assessor, Principal Donna Solomon
Below: Members of the faculty and staff were honored at the November 2024 Board Meeting for meeting all requirements to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Congratulations!
