Vanderburg Elementary Named Blue Ribbon School | Education & Schools

An elementary school in Henderson is being honored by the Department of Education.

Vanderburg Elementary School is one of only 219 public schools across the country to be named a Blue Ribbon National School. It was the only school in the state to receive the designation.

The award recognizes schools that are either academically superior or have made dramatic gains in student achievement. They also must show they have helped close the achievement gap among minority and disadvantaged students.

In order to be even eligible for the designation, the school must be in the top 10 percent of its state tests and have at least 40 percent of its students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Vanderburg Elementary showcases everything we are working to emulate across all of our  schools," said Superintendent Dwight D. Jones. "It possesses strong leadership, quality teachers in the classroom, an involved community, and ultimately, high levels of academic achievement that ensure students will be ready by exit for college and career."

Vanderburg Elementary achieved Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act last year. Plus, the Clark County School District named it a Five-Star School under its new performance ranking.