Photo by Jenny Kirk Canby Elementary School teacher Marylee Giese helps Clayton Drietz with a question he had about an assignment on Monday as his sixth-grade classmates, including (from right) Brandon Boreen and Cayden Anderson, continue to work independently. Canby Elementary was recently recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School — one of five Minnesota elementary schools to be awarded the prestigious honor in 2018.

CANBY — When it comes to Exemplary High Performing achievement, Canby Elementary School is among the very best — not only in Minnesota, but across the country.

Canby Elementary was recently recognized as a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

“It’s kind of hard to put in words, but it’s just a tremendous feeling for our students, staff and parents and the effort that all three put together to get the school where it’s at now,” Canby Elementary Principal Ryan Arndt said. “Without those three components together, it would be difficult to get to where we are now. We’re really thrilled about receiving this award.”

The U.S. Department of Education recognized 349 schools — including eight Minnesota schools — as National Blue Ribbon Schools this year. The prestigious award is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Canby was was designated an Exemplary High Performing School National Blue Ribbon School for 2018.

“We’ve been consistently putting up good test scores over the last six or seven years in both reading and math,” Arndt said. “And last year, we reduced the achievement gap in math, which is a goal that was set up by the Minnesota Department of Education, to decrease the achievement gap in math by 50 percent. It’s a result of having a lot of programs in place to help students out.”

Fourth-grader Gunner Fliss said he enjoyed attending Canby Elementary.

“I like gym and I like seeing my friends,” he said. “I (also) learn a lot.”

Fifth-grader Addison Driessen said math is her favorite subject.

“We learn a lot at school,” Driessen said. “Right now in math, we’re working on multiplying. I tech, we’re working with email. And in language arts, we’re just working on regular language arts stuff.”

Another fifth-grade student, Izabelle Hulzebos, said students are also learning about lifeboats in technology class.

“(They represent) boats that save people,” Hulzebos said. “We just made them out of a coffee cup. We cut around them and then put pennies in them. The pennies are the passengers. We learn how many it can hold.”

The mission at Canby Public Schools is to educate and empower each student with the skills, attitudes and abilities to succeed in life.

“It says a lot for our community,” Arndt said.

It should be noted that recognition doesn’t just happen by chance. According to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, the award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

“I’m pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” DeVos said in a news release. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing student for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students’ accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”

According to three fifth-grade boys, Canby Elementary is a place where all students can feel safe and welcomed.

“I like that everybody’s nice here,” Casey Hoiland said. “I moved here last year.”

Immediately after saying that, Keith Miller put his arm around his friend and confirmed their friendship, along with that of a longtime buddy, Desmond Reppe.

“Casey and I have been friends for a year now,” Miller said. “I’ve been friends with Desmond for a long time.”

Miller said Canby people are “really loyal” and “aren’t rude.”

“People treat people here good and no one makes fun of what you wear,” he said. “A lot of schools do.”

In the past 35 years, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell originated the program in 1982.

National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where each will receive a plaque and flag to signify its exemplary status. Arndt, Canby Public School Superintendent Ryan Nielsen and an elementary teacher — yet to be determined — are expected to make the trip to the nation’s capital, for the Nov. 7-8 awards ceremony for the 300 public and 49 private school honorees.

According to its website, Canby Elementary serves 326 K-6 students in the community of approximately 1,900 residents. The school received the status os Reward school in Minnesota for five straight years until 2017, when the award was not given out as a transition year.

“I like coming to school here,” Reppe said. “I like a lot of things about it.”

Student demographics reveal that 90 percent of students at Canby Elementary are white, while 5 percent are Hispanic, 3 percent are considered two or more races, 1 percent are black, 1 percent are Asian and 1 percent are English language learners (EL). In addition, 53 percent are considered economically disadvantaged — which at a minimum, includes students eligible for free and reduced-price school meals and may include students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient, migrant or receiving services under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act.

Of the 349 schools recognized this year as Blue Ribbon Schools, 70 percent are elementary schools. Twenty percent are high schools, 7 percent are middle schools and 3 percent are pre-K through 12th grade.

Of the 300 public schools selected, 44 percent are suburban, while 38 percent are rural or small towns and 19 percent are urban or large central cities.