I had the honor of meeting Principal Ken Schutz and Mr. Ken Larson of P.C. Jantz Elementary School (Odessa, WA) in Washington, D.C. this week. They were in town because their Odessa elementary school has been awarded a Blue Ribbon School Award, one of the highest education distinctions in the nation!

The Blue Ribbon School Awards are issued by the Department of Education to only a select group of top performing schools in each state.

According to the Department of Education’s website, “The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are either high performing or have improved student achievement to high levels, especially among disadvantaged students. The program is part of a larger Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds.”

Four schools in Washington were Blue Ribbon Award recipients, including Centennial Elementary School, Olympia; P.C. Jantz Elementary School, Odessa; Rock Island Elementary School, Rock Island; and Tekoa High School, Tekoa. More info on the program can be found here.

Congratulations to Principal Schutz, Mr. Larson, and the entire team at P.C. Jantz Elementary School for a job well done.