The Maryland State Department of Education announced yesterday 10 public elementary schools as 2001 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
The winning schools were selected for achievement in such areas as student performance, instruction, organization, parent involvement, standards, curriculum and leadership, state officials said. They will compete in the U.S. Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon competition next year.
Maryland's winners include Benfield and Bodkin elementary schools in Anne Arundel County, Kingsville Elementary in Baltimore County, Spring Garden Elementary in Carroll County and Charlestown Elementary in Cecil County.
Other winners are Malcolm Elementary in Charles County, Darnestown Elementary in Montgomery County, Fort Foote Elementary in Prince George's County, Smithsburg Elementary in Washington County and Ocean City Elementary in Worcester County.
The winning schools - each of which receives a Maryland Blue Ribbon flag and $1,000 cash award - will become part of a state network of past winners and work with other elementaries across the state on school improvement. They will be recognized by the General Assembly in January and at an awards celebration in the spring.
The state also picked eight schools as honorable mention award winners, including Route 40 Elementary in Garrett County, Havre de Grace Elementary in Harford County and Lucy V. Barnsley, Bradley Hills and Cedar Grove elementary schools in Montgomery.
Other honorable mention winners include Gladys Spellman Elementary in Prince George's County, Church Hill Elementary in Queen Anne's County and Boonsboro Elementary in Washington County.
