Sugar Grove staff members pose for a photo Tuesday after learning their school has earned a Blue Ribbon distinction.
Sugar Grove Elementary School is the first Johnson County School to receive a Blue Ribbon in 20 years.
The Center Grove elementary school is among 353 schools in the nation and eleven in Indiana named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday. This prestigious award is designed to affirm the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities who have created safe and welcoming schools where students thrive, according to an award summary.
Sugar Grove Elementary Principal Kristin Rodman surprised her staff with the news at a staff meeting at the end of the school day.
“I am so proud of our Sugar Grove Bulldogs and the work that our staff and students put in every day,” Rodman. “Over the last three years, I have watched our staff overcome a lot of obstacles, try new strategies, and implement best practices for all of our students. Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is a recognition for our staff, students, and community that we are doing good things in this building. This is such an honor that will push us to keep moving forward for all of our current and future Bulldogs.”
Center Grove Superintendent Rich Arkanoff said Suger Grove leadership’s hard work is demonstrated in this award.
“We are incredibly proud of the great work we see every day by principal Kristin Rodman, assistant principal Mindy Vanderveen, and their dedicated teachers and staff,” Arkanoff said in a statement on the award. “Sugar Grove has experienced a lot of growth and changes in the families they serve over the last few years. They have met those challenges with care, compassion, and devotion to helping their students succeed.”
Sugar Grove is being recognized based on its overall academic performance as an exemplary high-performing school. “Exemplary High Performing” schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Go online tomorrow and see Friday’s print edition to see more about the award.
