Fishers Elementary named a National Blue Ribbon School

September 16th, 2011

The U.S. Department of Education has named Fishers Elementary a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School. It is one of 304 across the country that received this honor. The Blue Ribbon award recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior, or have made dramatic gains in student achievement and helped close gaps in achievement. The schools--255 public and 49 private--are among more than 6,500 that have received the coveted award since 1982.

"We are thrilled . . . Our entire staff goes above and beyond to meet all students' needs. The staff is dedicated and committed to doing whatever it takes to help a child be successful. I am so excited that our staff is being recognized for its hard work and dedication!" said Principal Patricia Bittinger Mansfield. “The FES parents are a huge factor with our student success. We communicate the same language of respect, responsibility and resourcefulness to the students. The collaboration between staff and parents makes our students aware that we are all working for them to be the best they can be!"

Blue Ribbon Award selection is based on one of two criteria:

**Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests; or

**Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that demonstrate dramatic improvement of student performance to high levels on state tests or nationally-normed tests.