Madison County Schools receive Blue Ribbon award

Three Madison County Schools have been deemed excellent.

Central School in Huntsville, New Market School and Walnut Grove in New Market have been named 2012 Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Schools. The award is sponsored by the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.

Schools have to apply and meet nine standards set by Blue Ribbon Lighthouse.

“It’s something that we have a staff that works very hard that give our students the best opportunity to learn,” said Central School Principal Alex Hughes. “We’re glad that they were recognized by someone other than us.”

All three schools received the award for the first time.

“As a school in the community, it’s something we’re very proud of,” said New Market School Principal Mark Minskey.

Walnut Grove Principal Barbara Maness said the application process, which began in January, was arduous, but she’s pleased it paid off in the end.

“It’s am honor,” she said. “The teachers took the lead and worked very hard. I give all the credit to them.”

Maness said the selection committee visited the school in May and made the selection a week later.

“Our instructional program, I thought, would stand up to their scrutiny, but we wanted to make sure everything else was in line,” she said.

These schools will be presented in a ceremony during a banquet at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Hotel Dec. 4-8.

According to guidelines, Designation as a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School lasts for five years, at which time the school will be eligible for revalidation. Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Schools commit to sharing expertise and exemplary practices with other schools on a local, regional, and national level as well as providing mentoring and networking to schools seeking guidance and assistance in school improvement initiatives.