Chandler Woods Named 2024 National Blue Ribbon School

Chandler Woods Charter Academy was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, the U.S. Department of Education announced today. The honor is a testament to strong partnerships between parents and teachers that has been cultivated for decades with the school also being identified as an Exemplary High Performing school, which means it is among the top performing schools in Michigan as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

“The partnership between all of our stakeholders makes a difference and is what makes our school special,” Hardenburgh said of Chandler Woods, which opened in 1999. “We pride ourselves on our academic rigor and our Moral Focus emphasis.”

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona shared, “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools program began in 1982 and is given out to public and non-public schools through a nomination process based on student performance on state assessments in reading (ELA) and math, or a composite of performance on these assessments. Other student performance measures such as student growth on state assessments, performance in other subjects on state assessments, and graduation rates are also taken into account.

Other recent accolades for Chandler Woods includes being ranked second on the Best Charter Elementary Schools in Michigan list, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 school rankings. It also was recognized as a Michigan Reward School by the Michigan Department of Education for the 2022-23 school year, earned an A letter grade in proficiency and growth according to the 2022-23 Michigan School Grades System, and has outperformed the district for 14 years.

This year marks the 41st year that the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized schools across the country. To date, more than 9,000 schools have been honored. Schools may be nominated once within a five-year period.

Principal Hardenburgh will attend an awards ceremony on Nov. 7 and 8, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations, Chandler Woods Charter Academy!
About Chandler Woods Charter Academy
Chandler Woods Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Belmont, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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