Copyright M Live Michigan
ANN ARBOR, MI – Angell Elementary in Ann Arbor has been named one of Michigan’s top 16 Blue Ribbon Schools this year. The Ann Arbor Public Schools honoree was included in an announcement from the Michigan Department of Education early Thursday, Oct. 30. Blue Ribbon Schools, previously a national designation program under the U.S. Department of Education, recognizes “exemplary” schools, according to MDE, that have excelled in academic performance and closing achievement gaps. In a statement Thursday afternoon, AAPS Superintendent Jazz Parks congratulated Angell’s community, teachers, staff and sudtents for the honor. Principal Meg Fenech also added she was proud of the award. “It affirms what I’ve always known about our school,” Fenech said in a statement. “Our teachers are talented and dedicated, our staff builds the foundation for success, our students give their best every day, and our families are wonderfully supportive partners. Together, our entire school community creates a joyful, engaging and caring learning environment.” The State Board of Education will hold a special ceremony at its Nov. 13 meeting to honor the Michigan public schools that the department nominated as Blue Ribbon Schools. In the past, federal education authorities released National Blue-Ribbon designations to honor public schools as nominated by MDE and private schools in step with Council for American Private Education. However, in late August, the Trump administration quietly ended the program months after nominations were submitted and just weeks before the final list would be released. In 2015, Angell Elementary was previously named a National Blue Ribbon School. According to AAPS, other local schools that earned the designation were King Elementary in 2021 and 2014, Community High School in 2019, Allen Elementary in 2017 and Wines Elementary in 2015.
