An Andover middle school has earned the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award, joining the ranks of seven outstanding schools in Massachusetts and 350 schools nationwide recognized for this honor in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education.

The National Blue Ribbon Award is a testament to the exceptional educational achievements at this Andover school, which was selected based on its overall academic performance and progress in narrowing achievement gaps among student groups during assessments, as announced by the Department of Education.

In addition to the Andover school's remarkable accomplishment, several other schools in Massachusetts have also been included in this prestigious list, including Hopedale Junior Senior High School, John F. Kennedy School in Somerville, Manomet Elementary School in Plymouth, Sturgis Charter Public School in Hyannis, and Tahanto Regional High School in Boylston.

The pandemic presented a unique opportunity for Andover West Middle School to focus on closing the achievement gap and enhancing the social and emotional learning of its diverse student body, according to a district statement. Over the past seven years, the number of economically disadvantaged students and students from non-English-speaking households has doubled.

During the 2022 school year, Andover West Middle School achieved outstanding results, with its low-income students scoring at the 93rd percentile, English language learners at the 87th percentile, and Hispanic students at the 89th percentile, according to a district press release. Principal Timothy Corkery of Andover West Middle School expressed gratitude to the educators for their unwavering dedication to creating a more equitable learning environment.

Superintendent Magda Parvey highlighted that the National Blue Ribbon Award is a reflection of the unique values that set the school district apart.

Miguel Cardona, the Secretary of Education, commended these schools for their educational leadership, stating, “The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education. The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, now celebrating its 40th year, has recognized over 9,700 schools with approximately 10,000 awards during its history.

These honored schools share common characteristics, as outlined by the Department of Education. They have visionary leadership that upholds high standards for all members of the school community, promote innovation and effectiveness, value and support professional development for teachers and staff, utilize data to inform instruction and foster a culture where students are motivated to achieve success.

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