Congressman Smith Announces National Blue Ribbon Schools

Biotech High School, Pace Charter School, Performing Arts Academy and St. Gregory the Great recognized

Congressman Chris Smith announced yesterday that four schools in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“Educating our children is among the most important investment we can make in our families’ and our nation’s future,” said Smith. “I am thrilled that four of the 11 Blue Ribbon Schools in New Jersey are located right here in the Fourth Congressional District of New Jersey.”

The four schools being recognized for their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, which requires demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels, are:

Biotechnology High School, a Monmouth County Vocational School located in Freehold Township;
Pace Charter School in Hamilton Twp.;
Performing Arts Academy, an Ocean County Vocational Technical School, which is located on the Lakehurst side of Joint Base McGuire Dix-Lakehurst; and;
St. Gregory the Great Academy, located in the Hamilton Square section of Hamilton Twp.

Smith said two representatives from each school will be invited to Washington, D.C. for the Nov. 10-11 Recognition Ceremony, where each school will receive a National Blue Ribbon Schools plaque and a flag to signify its status.

“I think the parents, staff and especially the students should be proud of this designation,” Smith said. “Hard work pays off. It’s certainly something to brag about.”

The Blue Ribbon Schools were unveiled today by U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who recognized 337 public and private schools across the country as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2014.

Since 1982, the U. S. Department of Education has been seeking out and celebrating great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

The list of all 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools will be available on the U. S. Department of Education’s website at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools .