National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Application

National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

2015 NBRS Application-508

National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

OMB: 1860-0506

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National Blue Ribbon Schools
Program
2015 Application
Introduction ...............................................................................................2
Application ................................................................................................7
Part I – Eligibility Certification .......................................................8
Part II – Demographic Data ..............................................................9
Part III – Summary...........................................................................13
Part IV – Curriculum and Instruction ..............................................13
Part V – Indicators of Academic Success ......................................13
Part VI – School Supports.................................................................14
Part VII – Non-Public School Information .......................................15
Part VIII – Assessment Results ........................................................16

OMB Control Number: 1860-0506
Expiration Date: February 28, 2015

2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
A National Recognition Program for American Schools
Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored
America’s most successful public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools. A National Blue
Ribbon Schools flag waving overhead has become a trademark of excellence, a symbol of quality
recognized by everyone from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes 1) schools whose students achieve at very high
levels or 2) schools making significant progress in closing achievement gaps among different groups of
students. The Program sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving for the highest level of
achievement.
National Blue Ribbon Schools are honored each year at a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC. The
applications from the award-winning schools are posted on the Department’s website. A small group of
National Blue Ribbon Schools are visited each year to identify educational practices that have been
especially successful.
Public School Nomination Process
For public schools, the Secretary invites Chief State School Officers (CSSOs), including the District of
Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Department of Defense Education Activity
(DoDEA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), to nominate schools. In this document, the title CSSO
will refer to the chief school officers in the states and in the public education entities named above.
In submitting the list of nominated schools, CSSOs must certify that the schools meet the minimum
requirements established by the Department for nomination. As described below, CSSOs must also rely on
their own education accountability and assessment systems to identify schools for submission to the
Secretary.
At least one-third of the public schools nominated by each state must have enrollments which include at
least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A student from a “disadvantaged
background” is defined by the CSSO of each state. The definition must include low-income students who
are 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 Education Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
To be nominated, schools must have at least 100 students enrolled. In addition, nominated schools must
have assessment data for at least 10 students in each tested grade for both reading and mathematics. The
Department also recommends that nominated schools reflect the demographic and geographic diversity of
the state’s school-age population.
Test results for grades three and higher during the most recent five years must be reported even if the
assessment was revised or changed during that period. NOTE: If your school participated in field testing for
the new Common Core assessments AND do not have state criterion-referenced assessment results available
for 2013-2014, you may use the 2012-2013 assessment results for your most current year’s data. In the rare
cases where five years of test results are not available, an explanation should be provided in the school’s
application.
Each state’s nomination criteria must pertain equally to all schools nominated by the state.
All nominated public schools must meet their state’s Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) in reading
(English language arts) and mathematics or make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading (English
NBRS 2015

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language arts) and mathematics in each of the two years prior to nomination (2012-2013 and 2013-2014)
and must do the same for the year in which they are nominated (2014-2015).

National Blue Ribbon Schools Public School Performance Award Categories
1) Exemplary High Performing Schools: “High performing” is defined by the CSSO of each state, but
at a minimum means:
(a) The performance of all tested students in the school in the most recent year tested in both
reading (English language arts) and mathematics must be in the top 15 percent of all schools in
the state when schools are ranked based on the performance of all tested students.
(b) For each of the school’s subgroups, the performance of all tested students in the subgroup in the
most recent year tested in both reading (English language arts) and mathematics must be in the
top 40 percent of all schools in the state when schools are ranked based on the performance of
tested students in that subgroup.
(c) For the most recent year in which graduation rates are available in the state, the graduation rate
of a high school must be in the top 15 percent of all high school graduation rates in the state.
2) Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: “Achievement gap closing” is defined by the CSSO
of each state, but at a minimum means:
(a) The school must be in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state for both reading (English
language arts) and mathematics based on its progress in closing achievement gaps between the
school’s subgroups and the state’s all-students group over the past five years, comparing the
most recent year to the earliest year.
(b) For each of the school’s subgroups, the performance of all tested students in the subgroup in the
most recent year tested in both reading (English language arts) and mathematics must be in the
top 40 percent of all schools in the state when schools are ranked based on the performance of
tested students in that subgroup.
(c) For the most recent year in which graduation rates are available in the state, the graduation rate
of each of a high school’s subgroups must be in the top 40 percent of all high school graduation
rates for that subgroup in the state.
(d) The change in the performance of all tested students in the school over the past five years,
comparing the most recent year to the earliest year, must not be less than the change in the
performance of all tested students in the state in both reading (English language arts) and
mathematics.
Once the Secretary receives the nominations from the CSSOs, nominated schools are invited to submit
applications for recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Non-Public School Nomination Process
For non-public schools, the Secretary invites the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) to
nominate schools that meet the criteria for recognition. Non-public schools interested in applying for
nomination should contact CAPE directly Council for American Private Education. CAPE must ensure and
certify that the schools meet the criteria before submitting nominations to the Department.
Non-public schools are eligible for National Blue Ribbon recognition if they meet the following criteria:
1) Exemplary High Performing Schools: “High performing” means:
(a) that the achievement of the school’s students in the most recent year tested places the school in
the top 15 percent in the nation in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics as
measured by a nationally normed test or in the top 15 percent of its state as measured by a state
test. If a non-public school administers both state test and nationally normed tests, the school
must be in the top 15 percent for both tests.
(b) Disaggregated results for student groups, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds,
must be similar to the results for all students tested.
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(c) For the most recent year in which graduation rates are available, the graduation rate for nonpublic high schools must be 95% or higher.
A student from a “disadvantaged background” must include a student who is eligible for free and reducedprice school meals. The definition may include students with disabilities and students who are limited
English proficient, migrant, or receiving services under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Test results for grades three and higher during the most recent five years must be reported even if the
assessment was revised or changed during that period. In the rare cases where five years of test results are
not available, an explanation should be provided in the school’s application.
For information on the nomination process and timeline for CAPE, non-public schools representatives
should consult the CAPE Web site at .
Public and Non-Public Nomination Allocations and Eligibility for Public and Non-Public Schools
States and public entities, including DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, BIE, and DoDEA, are allocated a
number of National Blue Ribbon School nominations based on total K-12 student enrollment and number of
public schools. Allocations range from a minimum of 3 schools to a maximum of 35. CAPE may nominate
up to 50 non-public schools. A total of 420 public and non-public schools could be nominated each year.
Eligible schools, then, are those submitted by authorized nominators that meet all National Blue Ribbon
Schools Program criteria and requirements and have completed a comprehensive, high quality application
according to Program timelines.
Application Process for Nominated Schools
Once the Department receives the nominations from the CSSOs and CAPE, the Secretary extends an
invitation to the nominated schools to apply.
The nominators are encouraged to contact principals of selected schools prior to nomination to verify
principals’ commitment and to review completed applications prior to submission to ensure that recognized
schools will be outstanding models of excellence for their states and for the National Blue Ribbon Schools
Program. The Secretary reserves the right to initiate site visits to schools to document educational practices
as well as to verify the accuracy of data.

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Timeline for 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools
Date

Due

September 25, 2014:

The Secretary sends a letter of invitation to the CSSOs of all states, including
DC, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the BIE, the DoDEA, and CAPE requesting
nomination of schools.
State plans for public school nominations from CSSOs, BIE, and the DoDEA
and a plan for non-public school nominations from CAPE are due to the
Department.
State plans are reviewed for alignment with NBRS eligibility criteria.
Non-public school applications are due to CAPE.
Public school nominations are due to the Department.
The Department invites all nominated public schools to apply for recognition as
National Blue Ribbon Schools.
CAPE selects its nominations.
Completed public and non-public school applications are due to the Department.
Applications are reviewed for completeness, quality and accuracy.
States certify that nominated public schools have met all eligibility requirements.
The Secretary announces the 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Two representatives from each school, the principal and a teacher, attend the
recognition ceremony in Washington, DC.

November 21, 2014:

December, 2014:
December 12, 2014:
January 12, 2015:
January 15, 2015:
January 30, 2015:
March 20, 2015:
April - May, 2015:
August 29, 2015:
September, 2015:
November, 2015:

Important Considerations for Completing the National Blue Ribbon School Online Application
1. The entire application must be submitted through the online secure school portal at: National Blue
Ribbon Schools Program.
2. A School ID username and Password are necessary to access the online application form in the
secure school portal.
3. Narrative responses to application questions must address the topic succinctly. No attachments to
the online application can be submitted. Bulleted sections are not acceptable.
4. Tables, charts, graphs, photos cannot be accommodated by the online application.
5. On-line instructions must be followed when copying/pasting text from Word to the online
application; formatting may be changed.
6. Saving work frequently is necessary to protect the “work in progress.”
7. Printing the application for review is possible before and after the final submission.
8. Public school applicants only must convert the original signed cover page of the application to a
PDF file and upload the PDF via the online application portal.
9. All non-public school applicants must follow CAPE’s instructions available at the Council for
American Private Education .
10. All public and non-public school applications must be completed and submitted by Program
timelines. No changes can be made to applications after submission.
Instructions for completing the application are provided as online help text. Assistance is available for
school applicants through the National Blue Ribbon Schools Technical Assistance Team. For help in
navigating the online system, or questions regarding responses to the narrative or data items, use the
contact form located at: National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.

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Paperwork Burden Statement
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of
information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number
for this information collection is 1860-0506. The expiration date is 2/28/2015. The time required to
complete this information collection is estimated to average 39.75 hours per response, including the time to
review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the
information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or
suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC
20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of the individual submission of this
form, contact Aba Kumi, (Aba.Kumi@ed.gov) Director, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, Office of
Communications and Outreach, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Room 5E103,
Washington, DC 20202-8173.

Page 6 of 20

U.S. Department of Education
2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
[ ] Public or [ ] Non-public

For Public Schools only: (Check all that apply) [ ] Title I [ ] Charter [ ] Magnet [ ] Choice
Name of Principal
(Specify: Ms., Miss, Mrs., Dr., Mr., etc.) (As it should appear in the official records)

Official School Name
(As it should appear in the official records)

School Mailing Address
(If address is P.O. Box, also include street address.)

City

State

Zip Code+4 (9 digits total)

County
Telephone (

Fax (

)

Web site/URL

)

E-mail

Twitter Handle

Facebook Page

Google+

YouTube/URL

Blog

Other Social Media Link

Name of Superintendent* ________________________________ E-mail __________________________
(Specify: Ms., Miss, Mrs., Dr., Mr., Other)

District Name

Tel.(

)

Name of School Board
President/Chairperson
(Specify: Ms., Miss, Mrs., Dr., Mr., Other)

I have reviewed the information in this application, including the eligibility requirements on page 2 (Part IEligibility Certification), and certify, to the best of my knowledge, that it is accurate.
Date____________________________
(School Board President’s/Chairperson’s Signature)
The original signed cover sheet only should be converted to a PDF file and uploaded via the online portal.
Page 7 of 20

*Non-public Schools: If the information requested is not applicable, write N/A in the space.

PART I – ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION
Include this page in the school’s application as page 2.
The signatures on the first page of this application (cover page) certify that each of the statements below,
concerning the school’s eligibility and compliance with U.S. Department of Education and National Blue
Ribbon Schools requirements, are true and correct.
1. The school configuration includes one or more of grades K-12. (Schools on the same campus
with one principal, even a K-12 school, must apply as an entire school.)
2. The school has made its Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) or Adequate Yearly Progress
(AYP) each year for the past two years and has not been identified by the state as “persistently
dangerous” within the last two years.
3. To meet final eligibility, a public school must meet the state’s AMOs or AYP requirements in
the 2014-2015 school year and be certified by the state representative. Any status appeals must
be resolved at least two weeks before the awards ceremony for the school to receive the award.
4. If the school includes grades 7 or higher, the school must have foreign language as a part of its
curriculum.
5. The school has been in existence for five full years, that is, from at least September 2009 and
each tested grade must have been part of the school for the past three years.
6. The nominated school has not received the National Blue Ribbon Schools award in the past five
years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014.
7. The nominated school has no history of testing irregularities, nor have charges of irregularities
been brought against the school at the time of nomination. The U.S. Department of Education
reserves the right to disqualify a school’s application and/or rescind a school’s award if
irregularities are later discovered and proven by the state.
8. The nominated school or district is not refusing Office of Civil Rights (OCR) access to
information necessary to investigate a civil rights complaint or to conduct a district-wide
compliance review.
9. The OCR has not issued a violation letter of findings to the school district concluding that the
nominated school or the district as a whole has violated one or more of the civil rights statutes.
A violation letter of findings will not be considered outstanding if OCR has accepted a
corrective action plan from the district to remedy the violation.
10. The U.S. Department of Justice does not have a pending suit alleging that the nominated school
or the school district as a whole has violated one or more of the civil rights statutes or the
Constitution’s equal protection clause.
11. There are no findings of violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in a U.S.
Department of Education monitoring report that apply to the school or school district in
question; or if there are such findings, the state or district has corrected, or agreed to correct, the
findings.

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PART II - DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
Data should be provided for the most recent school year (2014-2015) unless otherwise stated.
DISTRICT (Question 1 is not applicable to non-public schools)
1.

Number of schools in the district
(per district designation):

_____ Elementary schools (includes K-8)
_____Middle/Junior high schools
_____High schools
_____K-12 schools
_____ TOTAL

SCHOOL (To be completed by all schools)
2.

Category that best describes the area where the school is located:
[
[
[
[
[

3.
4.

]
]
]
]
]

Urban or large central city
Suburban with characteristics typical of an urban area
Suburban
Small city or town in a rural area
Rural
Number of years the principal has been in her/his position at this school.

Number of students as of October 1, 2014 enrolled at each grade level or its equivalent in applying
school:

Grade

# of
Males

# of
Females

Grade
Total

PreK
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 or
higher
Total
Students

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Racial/ethnic composition of
the school:

_______ % American Indian or Alaska Native
_______ % Asian
_______ % Black or African American
_______ % Hispanic or Latino
_______ % Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
_______ % White
_______ % Two or more races
100 % Total

(Only these seven standard categories should be used to report the racial/ethnic composition of your school. The Final Guidance on
Maintaining, Collecting, and Reporting Racial and Ethnic Data to the U.S. Department of Education published in the October 19,
2007 Federal Register provides definitions for each of the seven categories.)

Student turnover, or mobility rate, during the 2013 - 2014 school year: ________%
This rate should be calculated using the grid below. The answer to (6) is the mobility rate.
Steps For Determining Mobility Rate
(1) Number of students who transferred to
the school after October 1, 2013 until the
end of the 2013-2014 school year
(2) Number of students who transferred
from the school after October 1, 2013 until
the end of the 2013-2014 school year
(3) Total of all transferred students [sum of
rows (1) and (2)]
(4) Total number of students in the school as
of October 1, 2013
(5) Total transferred students in row (3)
divided by total students in row (4)
(6) Amount in row (5) multiplied by 100

English Language Learners (ELL) in the school:

Students eligible for free/reduced-priced meals:

Answer

______%
______Total number ELL
Number of non-English languages represented:
______
Specify each non-English language reported above: ______________________

Total number students who qualify:

________%
________

The state has reported that ________% of the students enrolled in this school are from low
income or disadvantaged families based on the following definition:
_________________________

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Students receiving special education services:

________%
________Total number of students served

Indicate below the number of students with disabilities according to conditions designated in the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Do not add additional conditions. It is possible that
students may be classified in more than one condition.
____Autism
____Orthopedic Impairment
____Deafness
____Other Health Impaired
____Deaf-Blindness
____Specific Learning Disability
____Emotional Disturbance
____Speech or Language Impairment
____Hearing Impairment
____Traumatic Brain Injury
____Mental Retardation
____Visual Impairment Including Blindness
____Multiple Disabilities
____Developmentally Delayed
10. Use Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs), rounded to the nearest whole numeral, to indicate the number of
school staff in each of the categories below:

Number of Staff
Administrators
Classroom teachers
Resource teachers/specialists
e.g., reading, math, science, special
education, enrichment, technology,
art, music, physical education, etc.
Paraprofessionals
Student support personnel
e.g., guidance counselors, behavior
interventionists, mental/physical
health service providers,
psychologists, family engagement
liaisons, career/college attainment
coaches, etc.
11. Average student-classroom teacher ratio, that is, the number of students in the
school divided by the FTE of classroom teachers, e.g., 22:1
_______

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12. Show daily student attendance rates. Only high schools need to supply yearly graduation rates.

Required Information
Daily student attendance
High school graduation rate

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

%
%

13. For high schools only, that is, schools ending in grade 12 or higher
Show percentages to indicate the post-secondary status of students who graduated in Spring 2014
Post-Secondary Status
Graduating class size
Enrolled in a 4-year college or university
Enrolled in a community college
Enrolled in career/technical training program
Found employment
Joined the military or other public service
Other

_____
_____%
_____%
_____%
_____%
_____%
_____%

14. Indicate whether your school has previously received a National Blue Ribbon Schools award.
Yes
No
If yes, select the year in which your school received the award. _____
15. In a couple of sentences, provide the school’s mission or vision statement.

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PART III - SUMMARY
In approximately 800 words, provide a narrative snapshot of the school.
Specifically:
• Describe the nature of the community and students served;
• Briefly describe its traditions, milestones, and/or the history of the school;
• If your school is a magnet, charter or choice school, specify how students are selected to attend;
• Describe the key strategies used within the school that have encouraged and challenged all students to
develop their full potential academically, emotionally, physically, socially, and culturally. For instance
strategies can include curriculum, programs, initiatives, student and school supports, and leadership.
•

Additionally, if your school is a previous recipient of the National Blue Ribbon School award, briefly
describe how the recognition has been leveraged or served your school and its community. Address
specifically, any changes that may have taken place with regard to curriculum and instruction, school
climate and culture, professional development and capacity, school leadership philosophy, and family
and community engagement. .

PART IV – CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
1.

Core Curriculum: In approximately 700 words, describe the school’s core curriculum in
reading/English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies/history. Include an overview
of how the school’s core curriculum address the learning standards that apply to the school and why
the school chose each curricular approach. For each core curriculum area, provide examples of how
students acquire foundational skills in each core area, and describe the effort/progress the school is
making to improve the skills of students performing below and above grade level.
•

For secondary schools: additionally in approximately 100 words, describe how the
curriculum supports college and career readiness.

•

For schools that offer preschool for three and/or four year old students: additionally
in approximately 100 words describe 1) the core curriculum areas provided; 2) the
alignment of early childhood and K- Grade 3 academic standards; and 3) any indicators of
the impact of early education on school readiness and success in the primary grades.

Other Curriculum Areas: In approximately700 words, describe the school’s arts (visual and/or
performing), physical education/health/nutrition, foreign language(s), technology, and any other
curriculum programs offered to the general student population. For each other curriculum area:
describe how it supports students’ acquisition of essential skills and knowledge, which grades
participate, and how often.
Instructional Methods and Interventions: In 300- 400 words, provide an overview of the
instructional approaches, methods, and interventions used to meet the diverse and individual needs of
students and to achieve instructional goals (e.g., tiered instructional process, differentiated instruction,
problem-based learning, explicit instruction, technology-based support, etc.) Provide examples of how
instructional methods and interventions are used to ensure high levels of student learning and
achievement.

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PART V – INDICATORS OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS
1. Assessment Results Narrative Summary: In approximately 300 words, summarize the assessment
data presented in the application tables. Describe the performance trends found in your data tables.
Explain what factors contributed to significant gains and losses over the five-year period in math and
reading (English language arts). In the most recent year’s data, if there is an achievement gap of
10 or more percentage points between the test scores of all students and the test scores of any
subgroup, please describe what is being done to close this achievement gap.
2. Assessment for Instruction and Learning and Sharing Assessment Results: In approximately 300
words, provide a summary of how the school uses a variety of assessment data to analyze and improve
student and school performance. Give examples of the types of assessments that are used, and how
assessment data are used systematically to a) improve instruction and student learning and b) inform
parents, students and the community of students’ academic achievement.

PART VI – SCHOOL SUPPORTS
1. School Climate/Culture: In approximately 400 words, describe how your school engages and
motivates students and provides a positive environment that supports their academic, social, and
emotional growth. In addition please provide a description of how your school culture creates an
environment where teachers feel valued and supported.
2. Engaging Families and Community: In approximately 400 words, describe the strategies the
school has found most successful in working with family and community members for student
success and school improvement. Community can include non-profits, businesses, institutes of
higher education, etc.
3. Professional Development: In approximately 400 words, describe the school’s professional
development approach and its impact on the capacity of teachers and administrators. Provide examples
of how the district and school’s professional development activities are aligned with academic standards and
support student achievement and school improvement.
4. School Leadership: In approximately 400 words, describe the leadership philosophy and structure in
the school, along with the roles of the principal, other school leaders, and stakeholders. Illustrate, through
examples, how the school’s leadership ensures that policies, programs, relationships, and resources focus on
student achievement. Please refer to school leaders by their roles, rather than by their names.

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PART VII - NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL INFORMATION
The purpose of this addendum is to obtain additional information from non-public schools as noted below.

1. Non-public school association(s):
Identify the religious or independent associations, if any, to which the school belongs. Select the
primary association first.
2. Does the school have nonprofit, tax-exempt (501(c)(3)) status?

Yes ______

No ______

3. What are the 2014-2015 tuition rates, by grade? (Do not include room, board, or fees.)

2014-2015 Tuition
Grade
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Other

Amount
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

4. What is the educational cost per student?
(School budget divided by enrollment)

$______

5. What is the average financial aid per student?

$______

6. What percentage of the annual budget is devoted to
scholarship assistance and/or tuition reduction?

______%

7. What percentage of the student body receives
scholarship assistance, including tuition reduction?

______%

Page 15 of 20

PART VIII - ASSESSMENT RESULTS
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTS
Schools must report five years of state assessment results for each grade tested, starting at grade 3, even if
the state has revised or changed its assessments during that period. Use the Notes section below each table
to explain when the changes took place and what effect the change had on results. If your school
participated in field testing for the new Common Core assessments AND do not have state criterionreferenced assessment results available for 2013-2014, you may use the 2012-2013 assessment results for
your most current year’s data. In the rare cases where five years of test results are not available, use the
Notes section to provide an explanation.
For high schools that administer the state assessment in reading/English language arts or mathematics in
multiple grades, indicate the highest grade tested and use the Notes section to provide information on the
grade levels tested.
Schools must enter numbers and percentages of students who were tested with an alternate assessment.
Students who take the state assessment with accommodations prescribed by an Individualized Educational
Plan, (e.g. more time for response) are not included in this category. Schools must use the Notes section to
provide an explanation if the percentage of students tested within a grade with an alternate assessment is
greater than two (2) percent of all students tested within a grade.
While the online tables use the terminology of “Proficient” and “Advanced” to describe student performance
levels, schools must enter their state’s performance level terminology in the tables when submitting their
data. Schools should refer to the terminology their state uses as presented in the box above the assessment
table.
Schools must report student assessment results in reading and math in grades 3 and higher for all subgroups
only if the subgroup represents at least 10 percent of the school’s total enrollment in the current school
year. If the subgroup represents at least 10 percent of the school’s enrollment in the current year, schools
should report that subgroup’s data for all five years, regardless of prior enrollment. If the subgroup does not
represent 10 percent of the school’s total enrollment in the current year, then the school does not have to
report on that subgroup at all, regardless of prior enrollment. Refer to Demographic items numbered 5, 7, 8,
and 9 in the application for percentages of total current enrollment of potential subgroups.

For public schools: Results must be reported in each grade for each qualifying subgroup regardless
of the number of students tested. If it is impossible for an applicant to access results for any
qualifying subgroup(s) in any tested grade because the number of students tested is too small, an
explanation must be provided in the Notes section below the appropriate table(s) of results.
For non-public schools required to administer state assessments: The school only needs to report
assessment results for subgroups if there are at least 10 tested students in the subgroup in a given grade.
If schools receive results from their states for one or more “super” groups instead of one or more
“standard” individual subgroups, schools must report these results as “Other.” Please specify which
subgroups comprise “Other” on the assessment tables. Add additional explanation in the Notes
section below the appropriate table(s) of results.
Assistance is available for school applicants through the National Blue Ribbon Schools Technical
Assistance Team. For help in navigating the online system, or questions regarding the narrative
responses, assessment data tables or other items, use the contact form located at:
http://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/contact.

NBRS 2015

Page 16 of 20

Sample Table
STATE CRITERION--REFERENCED TESTS
Subject ________________ Test _____________________________ Grade ______
Edition/Publication Year ________________________
Terms state uses to define proficient:___________ advanced:_____________ Enter these terms below if
different than what is provided.
School Year
Testing month
SCHOOL SCORES*
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
Percent of total students tested
Number of students tested with alternate
assessment
% of students tested with alternate
assessment
SUBGROUP SCORES
1. Free and Reduced-Price Meals/SocioEconomic/Disadvantaged Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
2. Students receiving Special Education
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
3. English Language Learner Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
4. Hispanic or Latino Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
5. African- American Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
6. Asian Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
7. American Indian or Alaska Native Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
8. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
9. White Students

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

Page 17 of 20

School Year
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
10. Two or More Races identified Students
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
11. Other 1 ___________
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
12. Other 2___________
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested
13. Other 3___________
% Proficient plus % Advanced
% Advanced
Number of students tested

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

* Change the table terminology for performance levels to reflect your state assessment system’s terminology
for “Proficient” and “Advanced.”

Notes:

Page 18 of 20

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTS REFERENCED BY
NATIONAL NORMS
Non-public schools that report norm-referenced test results must report these results in reading (or English
language arts) and mathematics for the most recent five years for tested grades 3 and higher. Please see the
sample table below. Tables for entering this information will be in the online application.
Nominated schools must report five years of assessment results even if the test was revised or changed
during that period. In the rare cases where five years of test results are not available, an explanation should
be provided in the school’s application.
Schools must enter numbers and percentages of students tested with an alternate assessment. Schools must
use the Notes section to provide an explanation if the percentage of students tested with an alternate
assessment is greater than two (2) percent of all students tested within the grade.
Schools must report student assessment results in reading and math in grades 3 and higher for all students
and all subgroups only if the subgroup represents at least 10 percent of the school’s total enrollment in the
current school year. The school only needs to report assessment results for subgroups if there are at least 10
tested students in the subgroup in a given grade. Refer to Demographic items numbered 5, 7, 8, and 9 in the
application for percentages of total current enrollment of potential subgroups.

Assistance is available for school applicants through the National Blue Ribbon Schools Technical
Assistance Team. For help in navigating the online system, or questions regarding the narrative
responses, data items or other assistance, use the contact form located at:
http://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/contact.
Sample Table
NATIONAL NORMS-REFERENCED TESTS
Subject_______________ Test_________________________________ Grade ___________________
Edition/Publication Year________
Scores are reported here as (check one): NCEs (Normal Curve Equivalents)____ Scaled scores____
Percentiles____
School Year

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

Testing month
SCHOOL SCORES
Average Score
Number of students tested
Percent of total students tested
Number of students alternatively
assessed
Percent of students alternatively assessed
SUBGROUP SCORES
1.

Specify Subgroup 1___________
Average Score
Number of students tested

Specify Subgroup 2___________
Average Score
Number of students tested

Specify Subgroup 3___________
Average Score
Page 19 of 20

School Year

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

Number of students tested

NOTES:

Page 20 of 20

File Type	application/pdf
File Modified	2014-11-18
File Created	2014-10-31