Hoboken Public School District Working Toward Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Awards for Each Schoo
Hoboken Public School District Working Toward Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Awards for Each School
Hoboken, NJ, — Friday, January 5, 2024, All five of the Hoboken Public Schools will be undertaking a district-wide national validated assessment in spring 2024 conducted by Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, a non-profit 501©3 organization that has been serving schools across the nation since 2001.
The assessment will include a comprehensive review of nine performance areas present in high performing schools. Hoboken’s three elementary schools, middle and high school will engage in a series of stakeholder surveys, one-on-one and small group interviews and an onsite review of district curricula, instruction, and programs.
In November, Principals from Thomas G. Connors Elementary School, Hoboken Middle School, and Hoboken High School represented the district at the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence National Conference. At the conference, they participated in a range of leadership workshops related to student achievement, instructional best practices, and the use of data to drive decisions. Hoboken High School Principal Robin Piccapietra said, “attending the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference was not only a valuable professional learning experience, but also a great way to kick off the process. I knew immediately that we already met so many of the indicators of excellence. I look forward to the intensive review and the feedback that we will receive from our assigned accessor. It will propel our school to the next level.”
The Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence assessment process will result in valuable feedback in the form of datasets, critical questions, and an action plan blueprint. Each culminating from an intensive review of the following nine areas: student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging standards and curriculum; active teaching and learning; technology integration; professional community; leadership and educational vitality; school, family, and community partnerships; and, indicators of success.
The Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence design is rooted in years of research and encourages schools to self-reflect upon current practices and plan for continuous improvement efforts. Thomas G. Connors Principal, Juliana Addi said, “I want my school to be the best that it can be. Each year we have been making remarkable progress, but I truly believe that there is always room for improvement. One of the most valuable aspects of being a part of the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence process is access to top assessors, professional development and support to help us refine our practices. It’s time to document all of the remarkable progress that we have already made and establish a blueprint with new, rigorous targets.”
The Hoboken Public School District has begun preparing surveys needed for the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence assessment process. Surveys will be distributed to stakeholders during the month March. A Senior Assessor from the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence will be onsite for two weeks in April to work with each school in the district. “The national conference reaffirmed that our district is progressive and forward-thinking. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity for Hoboken Middle School to be assessed as part of this accreditation process while being recognized for the outstanding work that is already underway within the Hoboken Public School District. My staff and I want the community to collaborate with us on all areas in which we need to improve and to celebrate with us as we continue to hit our target goals,” added Ryan Sorafine, Principal of Hoboken Middle School.
About Blue Ribbon Schools
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Recognizing Great American Schools Since 1982. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. With its 40th cohort of awardees, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to over 9,700 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years. The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.