Gaston County elementary school named one of the best 297 in US, five in NC
For the second time in its history, W.A. Bess Elementary in Gastonia is a National Blue Ribbon School.
The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday the school is one of 297 nationwide to earn the honor. It first won in 2006.
As students were dismissed Friday afternoon, the school held an impromptu pep rally to celebrate the achievement. W.A. Bess Elementary also will be honored during an awards ceremony Nov. 3-4 in Washington, D.C. The school will hold a celebration in late November.
“We are very proud of this national achievement,” Principal Laura Clark said. “Being chosen as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School is one of the highest, most prestigious honors a school can receive. It recognizes our teachers, staff, students, and parents as well as our school community for having a long-time commitment to excellence in education and maintaining high academic standards and superior student achievement.”
W.A. Bess Elementary serves about 600 students in grades K-5. The school opened in 1982 and consistently ranks among the highest-achieving schools in Gaston County. The school has been recognized multiple times by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction as a School of Distinction, School of Excellence and an Honor School of Excellence.
What does it mean to be a Blue Ribbon School?
Public and private K-12 schools receiving the honor have shown either outstanding academic performance or progress in closing the achievement gap, according to a news release announcing the award. W.A. Bess is one of five public schools in North Carolina to earn the distinction for 2022.
“This is an accomplishment that all schools strive for, but only a few are chosen,” said W. Jeffrey Booker, Gaston County superintendent. “For W.A. Bess to receive the recognition twice is remarkable. As a National Blue Ribbon School, W.A. Bess Elementary is part of an elite group of schools that are considered to be the most outstanding in our country.”
What other schools in N.C. were recognized?
North Carolina public schools receiving the honor are:
▪ Weatherstone Elementary School, Wake County Schools
▪ Seventy-First Classical Middle School, Cumberland County Schools
▪ East Robeson Primary School, Public Schools of Robeson County
▪ Southeastern Academy Charter School, Lumberton
“These five schools exemplify the best of public education in North Carolina,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said. “Their entire school communities — including educators, students and parents — are helping to lead the way toward stronger schools across the state and ever better outcomes for students.”
What’s the history behind the award?
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given about 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. In North Carolina, a total of 169 schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon schools since the program’s inception in 1982.
This story was originally published September 17, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
