Bennet Congratulates Colorado Schools Leading the Way on Education, Closing Achievement Gap

Six Colorado Schools Awarded 2010 Blue Ribbons From U.S. Department of Education

Denver, CO – Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today applauded six Colorado schools for being designated 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools for high achievement and closing achievement gaps by the U.S. Department of Education.

“Congratulations to Colorado’s National Blue Ribbon Schools, which are making great strides in increasing achievement levels and closing the achievement gap,” said Bennet.  “These schools serve as excellent examples of the kind of improvements that can be made in schools around the country.  The parents, teachers, and leaders in these schools have quietly done the heroic work of educating our kids, and I am pleased that we are recognizing their achievement and learning from their accomplishments.  Colorado continues to lead the way in reforms that improve the outcomes for all students.”

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools with students achieving at very high levels or having made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students. The program is part of a larger Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices. 

The following schools in Colorado are 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Colorado Springs Christian Middle School in Colorado Springs, Dennison Elementary School in Lakewood, Douglass Elementary School in Boulder, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Colorado Springs, Orchard Avenue Elementary School in Grand Junction and Pine Grove Elementary School in Parker.