NEWS

Central Jersey schools recognized as Blue Ribbon

Everett Merrill
@EverettMerrill

Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner and Liberty Corner School in Bernards were designated as National Blue Ribbon Schools on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. In its 33-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this sought-after award on more than 8,000 schools throughout the United States.

The two Central Jersey schools were among 15 public and private schools in New Jersey to earn the distinction.

“New Jersey is known for having one of the strongest public education systems in the nation as well as some of the finest private schools, and all those recognized today exemplify the high standards we have in the Garden State,” Gov. Chris Christie in a statement .

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the kind of success that teachers, administrators and students can achieve when working together with a shared vision of ensuring that each child is on the path to success throughout their education and in the future.”

Voorhees High School was recognized in the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools, which means Voorhees is among New Jersey’s highest-performing schools, according to Ronald Peterson, principal of Voorhees High School.

He said student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates are also at the highest levels.

"First and foremost, thank you to the faculty and staff at Voorhees High School who strive to lead, teach and inspire our students to reach beyond their potential on a daily basis,” said Peterson. "Thank you to our students, parents and community for their dedication and support of our programs and our mission."

Liberty Corner School, which has 527 students from kindergarten to fifth grade, was also recognized in the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools,

"We have a dedicated staff and parents who value the home and school connection," said Liberty Corner School Principal James Oliver.  "We have young students, but they are hard workers."

Liberty Corner School is one of 64 in the country to be named a National School of Character in 2015. They have been named a New Jersey School of Character four times.

The schools will be recognized at a ceremony on Nov. 9 and 10 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each school will receive an award plaque and a flag as symbols of their accomplishments.

Staff Writer Everett Merrll: 908-243-6606; emerrill@mycentraljersey.com