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For the past 27 years, this prestigious program has honored more than 5,800 of America’s most successful schools, including almost 500 Texas schools. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools. The schools are selected based on one of two criteria:

• schools that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests;

• schools whose students achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests.

The nominated schools were recommended by an intra-agency committee that examined student achievement statistics for the more than 8,000 public school and charter campuses in the state. The schools selected have demonstrated success in closing the achievement gap and each school has an economically disadvantaged population of 40 percent or greater. Schools nominated for the award serve as models of best practices for schools across the state.

The nominated schools will now complete a rigorous application process through the U.S. Department of Education. Announcements of the award winners will be made in September 2010.

Schools that receive the prestigious award are recognized at the Blue Ribbon School conference in Washington, D.C.

The schools nominated for the Dramatic Improvement category are:

Austin ISD - Dr. Meria J. Carstarphen, superintendent, Dorothy A. Linder Elementary - Beverley Odom, principal

Beaumont ISD - Dr. Carrol Thomas, superintendent, Ogden Elementary - Wayne Wells, principal

Bloomington ISD* - Bradley S Williams, superintendent, Bloomington Elementary - Israel Salinas, principal

Corpus Christi ISD - D. Scott Elliff, superintendent, Marvin Baker Middle - Darla Reid, principal

Houston ISD - Dr. Terry B. Grier, superintendent, Albert Sidney Johnston Middle - David Wheat, principal

Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD - Dr. Gene Buinger, superintendent, Central Junior High - Jonathan James, principal

Hurst Junior High - Leslie Guajardo, principal

Jacksonville ISD* - Dr. Joe Wardell, superintendent, Fred Douglass Elementary - Amber Penn, principal

Richardson ISD - Dr. Carolyn G. Bukhair, superintendent, Lake Highlands Junior High - Veronica Escalante, principal

Scurry-Rosser ISD* - Chris Couch, superintendent, Scurry-Rosser Middle - Jason Turner, principal

The schools nominated for the High Performance category are:

Alief ISD* - Dr. Louis B. Stoerner, superintendent, Alief High - Greg Freeman, principal

Dallas ISD - Dr. Michael Hinojosa, superintendent, H.S. Thompson Learning Center - Kamalia Cotton, principal

James B. Bonham Elementary - Sandra Fernandez, principal

Glasscock County ISD* - Steve Long, superintendent, Garden City High - Misty Kinnibrugh, principal

Houston ISD - Dr. Terry B. Grier, superintendent

J.P. Cornelius Elementary - Karen Jackson, principal

James Burrus Elementary - Jesse Woods, Jr., principal

Oak Forest Elementary - Scott Pollack, principal

Briarmeadow Middle - Peter Heinze, principal

Jacksonville ISD* - Dr. Joe Wardell, superintendent, West Side Elementary - Sandi Jones, principal

La Vega ISD* - Dr. Sharon M. Shields, superintendent, La Vega Elementary - Chris Borland, principal

Lone Oak ISD* - Eddie White, superintendent, Lone Oak Elementary - Judy Steadham, principal

Richardson ISD - Dr. Carolyn G. Bukhair, superintendent, Dover Elementary - Brona Comeaux-Hudson, principal

South Texas ISD - Dr. Marla M. Guerra, superintendent, South Texas High School for Health Professions - Barbara Heater, principal

The Varnett School* - M. Annette Cluff, superintendent, The Varnett School - East Campus - Twilet Alexander, principal

United ISD* - Roberto J. Santos, superintendent, Trautmann Elementary - Cynthia Rodriguez, principal

* This is the first Blue Ribbon School nomination for the district.