A State College Area elementary school has been recognized as “exemplary” by the U.S. Department of Education.
Radio Park Elementary is one of 13 Pennsylvania schools named as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools on Tuesday.
“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. “The leaders, educators and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”
Radio Park was honored as an “exemplary high-performing school,” meaning it is among the best performers on state assessments or nationally normed tests. Schools can also be recognized for excellence in closing achievement gaps.
The recognition is “an absolute honor,” Danielle Yoder, SCASD assistant superintendent of elementary education, said.
“The faculty, administration, parents, students, staff and community have all played a key role in the success of this elementary school, and I want to personally thank them for their dedication to the success of their school,” Yoder said in a statement.
Nationwide, 353 schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools this year. Now in its 40th year, the program has recognized approximately 9,700 schools.
This year marks the third time a State College Area School District School to receive the honor. State High was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 1993, and the former Houserville-Lemont Elementary (now Spring Creek Elementary) received the award in 2017.
Located in Ferguson Township, Radio Park Elementary educates approximately 400 K-5 students.
“I’m very proud of my team for receiving this prestigious award,” Principal Alex Raup said. “The faculty and staff here are so committed to their work and daily come alongside their students and colleagues to create a positive learning environment. As a Radio Park alum myself, I’ve known that this school is special since I was a kindergartner and it’s great to see all of the hard work of the educators I work with every day paying off in the form of this national designation. It’s a great time to be a Mini Lion!
According to the Department of Education, awardees represent a diverse array of schools but share common core elements such as a vision of excellence and high standards, effective and innovative teaching and learning, support for professional learning among teachers and staff, using data from many sources to drive instruction and collaboration among educators and families.
“National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation,” the department wrote in a news release. “A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. ”
