Two Valley schools make Blue Ribbon list

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Two Mahoning Valley middle schools made this year’s list of National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Both Maplewood Middle School, which is part of Maplewood Schools, and South Side Middle, part of Columbiana, made the list of schools. It recognizes schools based on overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“This honor recognizes your students’ accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success,” Arne Duncan, U.S. Department of Education secretary, said in a video message to the awardees. “Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction, and strong relationships in school and with your community. You represent excellence — in vision, in implementation, and in results—and we want to learn as much as we can from you.”

Maplewood and South Side are among 335 schools across the country to make the list.

The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.