Fifteen New Jersey schools were honored for excellence by the U.S. Department of Education
Fifteen New Jersey schools have been recognized by the federal government as National Blue Ribbon Schools, a designation that celebrates excellence in academics or progress in closing the achievement gap among groups of students.
The schools -- nine public and six private -- were among 335 nationwide given the prestigious label, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Tuesday.
Two high schools in the Essex County Vocational Technical School District -- Bloomfield Tech and Newark Tech -- made the list, elating Superintendent James Pedersen and former interim Superintendent Frank Cocchiola, now an assistant to Pedersen.
In an interview, both men credited the district's collaborative atmosphere, with administrators, teachers and students working in close cooperation to boost academic performance.
Pedersen said the Essex County vo-tech district also emphasizes professional development for teachers, constantly improving the level of instruction. That two of the district's four schools were granted the Blue Ribbon designation "says something about our district," he said.
"To have one is great," Pedersen said. "To have two is unbelievable."
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Each of the 15 New Jersey schools was chosen for the "exemplary high performing" category, which weighs state or national tests, high school graduation rates and the performance of subgroups of students, such as those who are economically disadvantaged.
The National Blue Ribbon School program began 33 years ago. Since then, the federal Department of Education has recognized more than 8,000 schools.
An awards ceremony will be held Nov. 9-10 in Washington D.C.
Last year, 11 New Jersey schools were granted the designation.
The New Jersey public schools named to the program Tuesday include:
- Bergen County Academies, Bergen County Technical Schools, Bergen County
- Bloomfield Tech, Essex County Vocational Technical School District, Essex County
- Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School, Haddonfield Public Schools, Camden County
- Elizabeth High School, Elizabeth Public Schools, Union County
- H.W. Mountz Elementary School, Spring Lake School District, Monmouth County
- Liberty Corner School, Bernards Township School District, Somerset County
- Newark Tech, Essex County Vocational Technical School District, Essex County
- Southern Boulevard School, School District of the Chathams, Morris County
- Voorhees High School, North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional, Hunterdon County
The private schools recognized include:
- Academy of Saint Paul, Ramsey, Bergen County
- Holy Cross Elementary School, Rumson, Monmouth County
- Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown, Burlington County
- Our Lady of Czestochowa School, Jersey City, Hudson County
- Oratory Preparatory School, Summit, Union County
- Trinity Academy, Caldwell, Essex County
Mark Mueller may be reached at mmueller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkJMueller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
