Whitehall Elementary Receives Blue Ribbon Award

was one of six schools in the state to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education, and the only public school from Prince George’s County to be awarded this year.

The National Blue Ribbon Award is given to schools that “exemplify outstanding teaching and learning,” Maryland State Superintendent Lillian Lowery said in a statement.

“This is incredible recognition for a most deserving school,” Verjeana M. Jacobs, chairman of the Prince George’s County Board of Education and Bowie’s school board representative, said in a statement. “I join the Bowie community in celebrating this award.”

Whitehall Elementary was one of the county’s highest performing schools on the 2011 Maryland State Assessments, with 97.9 percent of students achieving proficient or advanced in math and reading, and nearly half achieving at the advanced level, stated the press release.

“I promised my students and staff that we would bring home a National Blue Ribbon Award this fall,” school Principal Jerenze Campbell said in the release. “We appreciate everyone’s support in helping us to achieve this honor.”