Westport and Weston Making the Grade

Hartford, CT – State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) ranking member of both the Education and Higher Education Committees of the General Assembly released the following statement today re: 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools named by U.S. Education Department. Connecticut has four schools on the list – two are in the 26th senatorial district.

“To have two high schools from the district receive this national distinction is wonderful. It is a testament to the hard work being done by teachers, parents, administrators and especially the students in those schools. The U.S. Education Department 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools are public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ academic achievement. I congratulate Staples High School in Westport and Weston High School for achieving this status. A quality education is the great equalizer in lifting children out of poverty. I hope that someday all of our schools will be Blue Ribbon winners.

“In addition to this recognition, five of the seven High Schools in our district are considered Top 10 in the state according to the U.S. News Best High Schools 2013 rankings. This is an extraordinary achievement that the residents of our towns and the state are extremely proud of.”

The U.S. Education Department will honor 236 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 18-19 in Washington, D.C. In its 31-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,500 of America’s schools.

A list of the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools is available at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/.