By Jackie Burton

Sept. 28, 2022: Bronxville Elementary School has been named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School, a highly regarded award given annually by the United States Department of Education to less than one percent of schools nationwide. The award, which recognizes exemplary schools, was announced today by the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona.

“It is such an honor to receive this prestigious recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School, especially in our Centennial year,” said Superintendent Dr. Roy Montesano.

“It is a true testament to the dedication of our esteemed leadership and faculty at Bronxville Elementary and the community’s commitment to supporting excellence in education for all students.”

Every year since 1982, The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized and awarded public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Among the highlights cited in Bronxville Elementary’s application is that students engage in Project Based Learning, rigorous English Language Arts grounded in the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, hands-on science curriculum, and rigorous special classes in physical education, music, art and library.

In addition to its exemplary curriculum, the Elementary School faculty and other constituents across the district have implemented the Heart of the Promise, which houses programs focused on the social and emotional well-being of students. These include CARE (Community, Awareness, Responsibility and Empathy) and The Bronxville Elementary School B3 program, where students learn to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe.

Principal Joe Mercora and Assistant Principal Rakiya Adams, the Bronxville Elementary leadership team at the time the application was submitted, share credit for this achievement with faculty, students, and the parent community. “This recognition is one that should be celebrated by the entire Bronxville Community. Despite incredible challenges faced during the pandemic, our incredible faculty and staff maintained the high standards for which our district is known while the entire community demonstrated its commitment to the Bronxville Promise,” said Joe Mercora.

Ms. Adams, who took on the role as Principal of Bronxville Elementary this year when Mr. Mercora took the helm at Bronxville Middle School, echoed his statement saying, “This honor was earned by all of us, including students and parents. We view ourselves as a team and operate as such. This wouldn't be possible without the students putting in the hard work and the support of our families.”

Since opening its doors in 1922, the Bronxville School has been a leading, progressive district committed to providing an excellent education. This standard is guided by the tenets of the Bronxville Promise, the school’s mission and vision, to teach students to lead, think critically, innovate, and engage the world. Based on the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise, the overarching approach to curriculum at Bronxville Elementary includes opportunity for authentic learning experiences. Students are often encouraged to learn information in order to solve real world problems, make an argument, advocate for change, and serve a need.

The district looks forward to attending an award ceremony that will be held by the U.S. Department of Education on November 3 and 4, 2022, in Washington, D.C.