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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Principal Michael Zoccali will accept the Boardman Stadium Drive's National Blue Ribbon award in Washington D.C. next month.
By JESSICA HARKER
Boardman Stadium Drive Elementary School recently received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon award this year.
The award recognizes schools who excel in standardized tests or successfully bridge achievement gaps in student groups.
Stadium Drive was one of 13 elementary schools in Ohio to receive the award, with only 349 awards given nationally at elementary, middle and high school levels.
Principal Mike Zoccali said that the award was an honor because it recognizes the hard work of the students and staff at Stadium Drive.
“I think in our position and in any ones position its nice to be recognized for the job and the work you put in,” Zoccali said. “This award goes to the children as well that go through Stadium Drive. They are the ones day in and day out that have to put in their best.”
Stadium Drive received the award for excellence in testing, according to Zoccali.
“Consistently we have been able to perform very well on the state testing,” he said. “For us, it’s a huge deal. It’s a credit to the kind of staff the students our families here at Stadium and the Boardman school district.”
Early next month Zoccali will travel to Washington D.C. with other educators for a two day conference to accept the award.
The conference, which will take place at the Omni Shoreham on Nov. 7 and 8, will be a celebration of the work of some of the nations best schools.
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is scheduled to attend the event.
“Its not an individual award, its a culminating award for a job well done this year,” Zoccali said.
He continued that Stadium Drive is not the first local school to win this award, with West Boulevard having won in the past.
The Boardman school district has also received a number of recognitions this year as well, including being ranked best in Mahoning Valley by Niche.com, an independent website.
“You get a well rounded education here in Boardman,” Zoccali said. “It’s just reaffirming for the staff and appreciative for the students as well.”