Grace Community Elementary School Awarded National Blue Ribbon

Grace Community School is blessed to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Grace was only one of two private schools in the state of Texas to win the award, and the only private elementary school in the entire state. In 2015, Grace Community High School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. Now, both schools are honored with this high academic achievement.

“We are so grateful to receive this prestigious honor. It is a testimony to the teachers, administrators, students, and parents, all of whom worked in partnership together through this outstanding, redemptive community that is Grace Elementary,” said Jay Ferguson, headmaster at Grace Community School. “We are beyond grateful to our Lord Jesus who gives us the minds, the work ethics, and the opportunities to accomplish these things, and we acknowledge that it all comes from His Hand.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards. Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

“We are very blessed to have gifted, hard-working teachers and staff; diligent students and supportive parents! We are honored to receive this award and give God the glory for the great work He is doing in and through the lives of our students, parents, teachers, and staff!” said Jennifer Dozier, principal at Grace Community Elementary School.

This year, 342 schools were honored as a National Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

“National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to the honorees. “You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff.”

Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,500 schools. On Nov. 6-7, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with these honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Grace Community Elementary School will have a special celebration in October.