Winston Churchill High School is among six Maryland public schools selected today as a 2007 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Churchill is the 33rd school in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to achieve national blue ribbon status since 1985.

The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are either academically superior or have shown dramatic improvement among economically disadvantaged students.

Churchill was named on the basis of superior performance on the High School Assessments in algebra and English, as well as outstanding performance on SAT and Advanced Placement examinations. Competition for the National Blue Ribbon included a site visit to the school and evidence of other outstanding aspects of the school’s program.

“The National Blue Ribbon is an important recognition that reflects high expectations and a commitment to excellence,” said Superintendent Jerry D. Weast. “MCPS is very proud of this achievement earned by the students, staff, and administrators at Winston Churchill High School.”

This is the first year that Maryland high schools were among the schools named for this honor under the new Blue Ribbon Schools Award process that uses performance on state assessments as the primary criterion for selection. Two public elementary schools, two public middle schools, and two public high schools were honored. Other winners in addition to Churchill include schools in Howard and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City. One nonpublic school in Maryland also received National Blue Ribbon status—St. Andrew Apostle School in Montgomery County.

Schools selected as National Blue Ribbon winners will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November. For more information on the program and a list of 2007 winners, visit the link below.