PRINCESS ANNE, Md.- Greenwood Elementary School has been named a National ESEA Distinguished School by the state education agency in Maryland.
Greenwood Elementary is one of up to 100 schools throughout the country nationally recognized for exceptional student achievement in 2020. A project of NAESPA, the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program publicly recognizes qualifying federally funded schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students. It highlights the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements for their students. The program has been in place since 1996.
Greenwood received this award for excellence in serving the school’s English Learning (EL) students. Over the past two years, this special population of students have demonstrated excellence and growth, with nearly 80% of all EL students meeting or exceeding the requirements to exit the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) identification category.
“We are proud to showcase the growth and success of our students along with the positive initiatives that have led to closing the equity gaps among our EL student population," said Greenwood Elementary Principal Ashley Walters. "It’s truly an honor to be recognized as a National ESEA Distinguished School.”
The program highlights the success of hundreds of schools in one of three categories:
CATEGORY 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years
CATEGORY 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years
CATEGORY 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g. homeless, migrant, English learners)
Greenwood's recognition is part of CATEGORY 3.