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In October 2007, Challenge Charter School was named as a National
Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Blue Ribbon award is the most prestigious award in
education. We were nominated to apply for this award by
Arizona's Chief State School Officers, an honor in and of itself,
since only a few schools in each state are allowed to apply.
In order to be considered for the Blue Ribbon Award a school
must either:
(1) Have at least 40% of their students from disadvantaged
backgrounds and have dramatically improved student performance
to high levels on state tests, or
(2) Students,
regardless of background,
must
achieve in the top 10% on the state tests.
Challenge
Charter School qualified on both recognition criteria.
In November, Vice Principal, Ms. Wendy and CCS Master Teacher,
Ms. Tammy Neitch, traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the Blue
Ribbon Ceremony and accept the award on behalf of CCS students,
staff, families, and founders.
CCS
representatives with
Mr. Dean Kern, Director of the U.S. Department of Education’s
Charter School Program.
CCS
representatives pictured here with fellow Blue Ribbon charter
schools from across the country. Of the
287 National Blue Ribbon schools in 2007, only 8 were charter
schools!
Pictured with the U.S. Department of Education’s Deputy
Secretary of Education, Mr. Raymond Simon. Deputy Simon spoke to
those in attendance about this accomplishment and congratulated
all of the 2007 National Blue Ribbon School representatives with
a hand shake.
On December 6, 2007 we had a big Blue Ribbon celebration at the
school. The day started bright and early with a visit by
Kim Covington and the Channel 12 News crew. They showed up
at 4:45 am to broadcast live for a "School Solutions" story.
Kim interviewed the Millers to share "Solutions" for other
schools on what works and visited with students and parents.
Thank you Channel 12, those who came to participate, and
everyone who watched!
CCS students and staff had so much fun making this special
poster for Mr. and Mrs. Miller the morning of December 6th in
Mrs. Poore's Kindergarten classroom during the news broadcast.
After the news broadcast, it was time for the Blue Ribbon
celebration. Blue ribbons decorated every part of
Challenge, spreading the excitement across campus and throughout
the neighborhood.
Mr. Miller opened the festivities by leading CCS students, staff, and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Special visitors on stage include (from right):
Mr. Christopher Wright,
Secretary's Regional Representative, Region IX, US Department of
Education;
AZ Superintendent of Public Schools, Mr. Tom Horne;
Glendale
City
Council
Member Steve Frate; AZ State Board for
Charter Schools Executive Director, Deanna Rowe; and
State
Representative Judy Burgess (R—Dist 4), Thank you for your
support!
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