U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized Glendale Elementary School in Nashville as one of six National Blue Ribbon recipients in Tennessee, one of just 297 in the country for 2022.
The award has been given annually since 1982 to a select number of schools showing high academic performance and progress in closing achievement gaps between student subgroups.
“We are so honored by this recognition, which reflects the great work and relentless commitment of hundreds of people: our teachers, our instructional leaders, our support staff, our parents, our community partners and, of course, our students,” said Glendale Principal Jeanna Collins. “All of us work hard every day to help our students learn, grow and get ready for even bigger and better things. I’m extremely proud to lead this team and grateful to Secretary Cardona for seeing and celebrating what we’ve been able to do here at Glendale.”
Glendale Elementary opened in 2004 as a Spanish immersion school for Nashville. Its curriculum for reading and language arts as well as social studies is taught in English, while Spanish is taught through math and science.
The elementary school was the only National Blue Ribbon school in Tennessee to come from Metro Nashville Public Schools, and the only school categorized as Urban or Large Central City. Only 16% of urban public schools to receive this award.
Most schools receiving recognition are categorized as suburban.
“We are fortunate to have a great number of school options under the MNPS umbrella, including innovative models such as Glendale Elementary that have found creative ways to provide an enriching learning experience,” said Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Schools. “Principal Collins and all of the staff at Glendale should be extremely proud of the consistent, high-achieving results they have been able to provide for their students and families.”
Other Tennessee award recipients include Grassland Elementary in Brentwood, John Sevier Elementary in Maryville, Lookout Mountain Elementary in Lookout Mountain, Michigan Avenue Elementary in Cleveland, and Thurman Francis Elementary in Smyrna.
“As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives,” said Secretary Cardona.
