Carper, Coons, Carney Congratulate 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools

WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.) congratulated The Charter School of Wilmington in the Red Clay Consolidated School District, Frear Elementary School in the Caesar Rodney School District and Shields Elementary School in the Cape Henlopen School District for being named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2013. These schools are recognized for their overall academic excellence or their progress in improving student academic achievement.

“Congratulations to the teachers, staff and students at Charter, Frear and Shields Elementary for their outstanding work and dedication to education to achieve National Blue Ribbon Status,” said Sen. Carper. “Delaware’s top-rate schools are teaching the next generation’s workforce, and I am so pleased that a school from all three counties in Delaware was chosen for this recognition.”

“Talented educators play an enormous role in helping our students succeed,” Senator Coons said. “It is wonderful to see the Charter School of Wilmington, Allen Frear Elementary, and Shields Elementary recognized nationally for their excellence as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools. This is an outstanding achievement and I offer my sincerest congratulations to the students, teachers, principals and parents who helped their schools earn this distinguished honor.”

“I’m happy to join parents and community members across the state in congratulating Frear Elementary, Shields Elementary, and the Charter School of Wilmington on being named National Blue Ribbon Schools,” said Congressman Carney.  “One of the most important things we can do to strengthen the nation’s economy in the long term is ensure that young people get a quality education.  These schools are models that set high standards for students and have teachers that provide the support and guidance for them to achieve great things.”  

This program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements toward those standards. Since 1982, the U. S. Department of Education has sought out and celebrated great American schools. This nationally recognized award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating outstanding schools where students gain the knowledge, skills and character to meet 21st century challenges.