Three Maine schools nominated for national distinction

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Education nominated three schools – Longfellow Elementary School in Portland, Williams-Cone Elementary School in Topsham and Yarmouth Elementary School – to be 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The U.S. Department of Education program honors public and private schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and closed gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students.

Since 1982, the federal Education department has annually sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds. In its 31-
year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on over 7,000 of America’s schools, including nearly 50 in Maine. The commissioner in each state nominates schools, which are then invited by the U.S. secretary of education to submit a formal application.

Each of the three nominated schools has student achievement in the top 15 percent in Maine for both reading and math. The federal Education department will announce awardees in September 2013.

For more information about Maine’s program and past winners, and a link to the national website, go to: www.maine.gov/doe/recognition/school.html.

For more information, visit the Maine Department of Education website: www.maine.gov/doe