Deputy Elementary Named A 2021 National Blue Ribbon School

One School Here Locally Named

Deputy Elementary School serves students, Preschool through Fourth Grade, in rural southern Indiana. Our community and school provides an open and welcoming environment. Visitors notice the family atmosphere, and often comment on how comfortable they feel when entering the building.

We believe that all students can and will succeed in our building. DES believes that relationships and creating a safe environment are key components of learning. Our teachers focus on state standards and are committed to each student's individual growth. Each child is held to a high standard, and as a staff we work to provide the tools they need to succeed. Professional development is geared toward our students' needs to drive effective instruction. We use universal screeners to assess learning needs and progress monitor to assure growth is being achieved. All students, Kindergarten through Fourth grade, are provided a Chromebook or ipad to use throughout the school year so learning can happen even if we are not face to face.

One of the most influential pieces to Deputy Elementary's success is the ability to create a family-like atmosphere. Most of our staff has been together for twenty plus years, which helps create the nurturing and supportive environment necessary for students' success. In addition, staff and community have established the positive rapport needed to develop individualized instruction for students with all parties having input into the decision making process. Thus, students, families, and staff work together to assure optimal learning.

Below is the original Press Release From the Education Secretary:

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021, including seven schools in Indiana. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Secretary Cardona made the announcement during his Return to School Road Trip, while visiting an awardee school, Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School, in Palatine, Illinois.

The Indiana schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:

• Columbus – CSA Lincoln Campus, Bartholomew Consolidated School District.
• Deputy – Deputy Elementary School, Madison Consolidated Schools.
• Fishers – Thorpe Creek Elementary School, Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
• Indianapolis – Grassy Creek Elementary School, MSD Warren Township School District.
• Lowell – Lake Prairie Elementary School, Tri-Creek School Corporation.
• Nashville – Van Buren Elementary School, Brown County School Corporation.
• South Bend – Swanson Traditional School, South Bend Community School Corporation.

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said Secretary Cardona. “I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon Schools nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/.