By james art
By Sym Posey | Birmingham Times
It was a gathering of EPIC portions on Tuesday at a Birmingham primary school as pupils, schools and staff celebrated being named a National Blue Ribbon School, one of the nation’s top education honours.
This is the second time Educational Plan for the Individual Child (EPIC) Elementary, located in the heart of south Birmingham near UAB, has received this honor. The last time was in the early 90s. The State Department of Education nominated EPIC. A total of five Alabama schools were named a National Blue Ribbon School this year, said state Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey.
“We look for schools that have really outstanding academic achievement and growth,” he said. “They also take into account the historical achievements achieved by students year after year, as well as the overall character of a school,” he added.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, held in the school’s gymnasium, Principal Aulundria Grace said, “in education, it truly takes a village where everyone must invest in the vision of our school, where we strive to prepare our scholars to lead in a global society. As EPIC’s head of training, I want to thank everyone for believing that we are the best at getting better…”
Dr. Mark Sullivan, BCS superintendent, said the success at EPIC exemplifies achievement throughout the school district. All of EPIC’s third-grade students met the reading requirement on the spring 2024 assessments. Sullivan said he looks forward to continued success at EPIC.
The Blue Ribbon honor highlights schools across the country that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different groups of students. Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, curriculum, assessments, learning practices, professional development, leadership, family and community involvement.
Earlier this month, US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, “The National Blue Ribbon School Award is a testament to the outstanding achievements of students and teachers at each of these schools.
“The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools raise the bar for our nation’s students by serving as models of effective teaching and purposeful collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let’s look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”
Up to 420 schools can be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award from the chief education officer in all states, the District of Columbia, US territories, the Department of Defense Education, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council on American Private Education.
EPIC will receive the honor next week in Washington, DC, at the US Department of Education. On Nov. 14, EPIC will be recognized during a meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education.