MAUMELLE, Ark. – Students and faculty at Pine Forest Elementary School in Maumelle held a pep rally on Wednesday to celebrate the school being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.
The U.S. Department of Education gives out the honor, which is largely based on two major categories: exceptionally high-performing schools and exemplary achievement gap-closing schools.
The Maumelle elementary school was chosen for its effort to close learning gaps among each student. Principal Yolanda Thomas said this is hard work paying off.
“A lot of things were intentional that we did and strategic, and it paid off,” Thomas said. “Because our kids grew, tremendously.”
The U.S. Department of Education says 356 schools were recognized, and this school is one of three awarded in the state of Arkansas.
“I couldn’t feel more proud and be happy for not only my students and my teachers, but the community of Maumelle,” Thomas said. “Today we celebrate and tomorrow we work. Get back to the grind and do what we do on a day-to-day basis.”