John P. Kelly

I am delighted to report I was just notified by the Texas Education Agency that Boerne Middle School South is a possible Texas nominee for the 2007 National Blue Ribbon School Award. Only 26 Texas schools have been so named in 2007 out of more than 7,500 public schools in Texas. 

I may be a bit premature because TEA does not made final determinations on the 26 schools being proposed for a while. But the TEA official I spoke with told me it is “highly likely” Texas will nominate our school for this great national honor.  

Why has our school been chosen? The 2007 No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon Award recognizes those schools with outstanding achievement in reading/English language arts and math. Within those subjects, the school’s TAKS results must demonstrate high performance for all students and for any substantial school sub-populations of minority, economically disadvantaged, limited English speakers, and special education students. 

In spring 2007, Boerne Middle School South had 96 percent of their students pass the reading/English language arts TAKS test. Ninety-four percent passed math.  With regard to sub-populations, 95 percent of the Hispanics, 88 percent of the economically disadvantaged, and 92 percent of the special education students passed the reading portions of the test.  Our Limited English student population size (less than 10 students) was too small to be considered. With regard to math, 88 percent of the Hispanics, 81 percent of the economically disadvantaged and 92 percent of the special education students passed. 

There are several steps that must take place before a school wins such an award. TEA chooses schools for consideration. This they have already done. Then, the schools must be formally nominated by the state, which should take place at some point this year. The school will be asked to fill out information relevant to the programs and accomplishments resulting in the high scores. And finally, the school must ensure that they “meet academic yearly progress” again during the 2007/08 school year.  Based on our middle school’s yearly records of achievement, I believe these steps will be readily accomplished. Dr. Janey Hunt, the Boerne Middle School South principal, is justifiably proud of her faculty and staff and eagerly awaits these further developments. 

I’m told by the Texas Education Agency that in 2006, 23 schools were nominated by Texas for this national award and 21 of them received it. So our chances look pretty good.  If this award is won, our middle school will join Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary, which received the honor a few years ago. 

One last thing. State and national accountability standards are different. This particular national award is based on reading and math scores. Our other middle school (Boerne Middle School North) had passing rates of 96 percent in reading, 98 percent in writing, 98 percent in social studies and 84 percent in math.  Indeed, North had slightly higher scores than South in writing and social studies – but these are not taken into account for this particular national award.  We are equally proud of both of our middle schools. And we are committed to continuing to closing achievement gaps among disadvantaged sub-populations with the united district goal of being the best in all the land.