Richland Elementary 1 of 13 PA schools to receive national recognition

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — The U.S. Department of Education Monday announced the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools . Richland Elementary School, located in Johnstown, is on it.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 356 schools. 13 of them are in Pennsylvania.

“I’m just super proud. There’s a lot of people that had a heavy hand in making today happen and people that are in this building and people that have been here in the past, our students, our families, we have a strong support in our community,” Kelly Lashinsky, Principal of Richland Elementary said.

The Department recognizes all schools in both or either of two performance categories:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

Richland Elementary was selected as an exemplary high-performing school. The Superintendent said that it’s a rare honor.

“I’ve been a superintendent in three different places over the past 20 years, and this is the first. And it’s amazing. Obviously, you got to see the numbers of how, you know, select this award is. And it’s amazing in itself. And for me, I’m completely humbled. I’m so proud of our staff and what they’ve accomplished over the years. This wasn’t by accident,” Arnold Nadonley, Superintendent of Schools for Richland School District said.

School administration noted that while students may not understand the significance of being a Blue Ribbon School, one day they will.

“I think that our community is very proud of our school system. And I think for those kids as they grow up, it’s something that probably doesn’t mean a lot to me now is second graders and sixth graders. When they look back, they’ll realize the impact that the teachers had on them here at the school,” Brandon Bailey, Director of Educational Services for Richland School District said.

In November, the Richland Elementary School will be honored alongside 356 other schools from across the country during a ceremony in Washington D.C.

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Over the next several months, the district will also recognize its students and staff with various events, memorabilia, and activities, including a “Celebration of Learning” on Oct. 17.

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