(Radio Iowa) – Three of the state’s elementary schools and a middle school are in the inaugural 2025 class of “Iowa Blue Ribbon Schools.” Governor Kim Reynolds led a ceremony in Des Moines to honor schools in the Albia, Dubuque, George Little Rock and College Community districts. “Having a strong educational foundation early on sets students up for a lifetime of success,” Reynolds said. “…Congratulations!” Iowa Department of Education director McKenzie Snow says the four schools recognized are models of excellence.

“Providing all students what they need to meet high expectations and realize their incredible potential,” Snow said. Albia’s middle school was recognized for efforts to raise student test scores. The district’s junior high students, for example, exceed the statewide proficiency score in science by 22 points. Albia Superintendent Richard Montgomery says everyone on staff gets credit.

Photo by Radio Iowa: Governor Reynolds, the Iowa Dept. of Education’s McKenzie Snow and Jay Pennington, pose for photos with Albia school leaders

“Cooks, teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, secretaries, AEA staff, school board, nurses, med techs, bus drivers, administrators and coaches,” he said, “…they like, other educators across the state are the true difference makers for Iowa schools, recognizing that relationships and culture come before program and curriculum because in every great school, it’s the people make a difference.”

In 2018, George Little Rock’s elementary was identified as one of the state’s lowest performing schools, but state officials say all students are now performing at high levels. Amanda Miller is the district’s superintendent. “Our teachers and staff have worked to meet each student’s individual needs in a way that prioritized their learning and acknowledges and supports their challenges,” Miller said. “This is one of the great benefits of learning and growing in a small district — a personalized student experience.”

Prairie Hill Elementary in the College Community District in Cedar Rapids has been recognized for dramatically reducing chronic absenteeism. That’s 10 points below the state average. Principal Scott Schipper says a few years ago, 17 percent of students had been chronically absent — and it’s now five percent. That’s 10 points below the state average.  “We live by our school motto every day: ‘Work hard, be nice and have fun,'” he said. “This honor validates the notion that when we work hard together, when we are nice and supportive of every student and family, and when we create a fun and engaging learning environment we can achieve transformational results.”

The Dubuque Community School District’s Bryant Elementary is being recognized for the rising reading scores of kindergarten through fifth grade students, as two-thirds of those students are exceeding expectations according to state officials. Megan Richardson is the school’s principal. “We have cultivated a culture of consistency and clarity,” she said. “…Our staff are persistent in making students feel safe, understood and challenged. They go above and beyond to create meaningful growth for our students.”

The Trump Administration ended the national “Blue Ribbon” program honoring high-performing schools this summer. Iowa officials announced the winners of their inaugural Iowa Blue Ribbon Schools program yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.