Pellston Elementary School awarded 2024 National Blue Ribbon recognition

EMMET COUNTY — Pellston Elementary School was recently awarded National Blue Ribbon recognition by the U.S. Department of Education.

According to a Sept. 24 news release, the elementary school was listed among 12 Michigan schools being recognized along with 356 schools nationwide as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“I congratulate our Michigan schools being recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools,” State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice said. “This honor reflects the dedication, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrated by our educators, students, and communities. As we celebrate this achievement, let us continue to build on this success and inspire even greater accomplishments for all our schools and students across the state.”

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes National Blue Ribbon Schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, specific student subgroup performance and graduation rates.

Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.

According to the school’s National Blue Ribbon Schools application , Pellston Elementary School prides itself on being a community is extremely close-knit and supports one another anytime there is a need.

“The Pellston community represents all that is great in America. It consists of hard-working, dedicated, kind, giving, remarkable people,” the application said. “Pellston Public Schools are the hub of our community, it is by far the largest employer in the area. Our rules are simple: 1. Love kids. 2. Work hard. 3. Be positive. These simple rules have resulted in incredible academic achievement. Our classrooms are filled with the most dedicated educators you could possibly find. Our students are simply the best.”

According to the school’s strategy for excellence, it strives to approach education through a whole school, whole community and whole child framework.

The first tenet involves health and the importance that each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle. The second indicator guides the school’s team to create and environment in which each student is physically and emotionally safe.

Whole child tenet three ensures that students are actively engaged in learning and connected to the school and broader community, and tenet four centers each student having access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.

“The final component to our success is that each student is challenged academically and prepared for success in college readiness courses, CTE certifications and the connections between education and lifelong success,” the application said. “Pellston Elementary School creates a culture of mastery in which every single person in the school embraces every student, without exception. At its very core is the critical component that by meeting the needs of the whole child, every student can achieve at a higher level than before.”

For more information on Pellston Elementary School and its curriculum, click here