Several staff members from MacArthur Elementary were recently honored at the National Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Washington D.C. on Nov. 13-16. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students. Out of 134,000 schools in the United States, only 315 schools are 2011 National Blue Ribbon School award winners .

Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals, including those that beat the odds. MacArthur’s demographics of the student population from disadvantaged backgrounds have increased from approximately 20% in 2006 to 52% this school year. Despite these changes in population, students consistently score high on the state assessments