Westport’s Bedford Middle School is among eight Connecticut schools announced today as 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools.
Bedford Middle School, seen in this 2008 photo, was among eight Blue Ribbon Schools honored in Connecticut. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
In, all 314 U.S. schools received the honor—264 public and 50 private schools. Bedford was one of three Connecticut public schools to win the honor. The other five were in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport.
The U.S. Department of Education administers the program which honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels.
Bedford’s 21-page application for the honor noted that 22 of its 838 students, or 3 percent, qualified for free or reduced price meals, that 103, or 12 percent, received special education services, and that the school was 92 percent white, 5 percent Asian, 2 percent Hispanic or Latino, and 1 percent black or African-American.
In addition to being honored at a Nov. 3 ceremony in Washington, D.C., where each school receives a plaque and flag signifying their status, these schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation, the Department said.
Senator Christopher Dodd was among those congratulating the winners.
“Countless children and families across Connecticut join me in expressing great appreciation for the good work being done at these schools,” said Dodd.
In addition to Bedford, the 2009 Connecticut winners are East Ridge Middle School in Ridgefield; Greenwich Catholic School in Greenwich; Our Lady of Fatima School in Wilton; St. Mark School in Stratford; St. Cecelia School in Stamford; St. Rose of Lima School in Newtown; and Thomas Hooker School in Meriden.
