State, Town Leaders Recognize Cumberland School Department's Third National Blue Ribbon School

Published on Monday, September 30, 2024

Garvin Memorial Elementary School becomes third school in district to earn prestigious U.S. Department of Education designation

CUMBERLAND, R.I. -- Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) joined students, educators, and state, town and school leaders to formally recognize Garvin Memorial Elementary School as the district’s third school to earn the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award since 2017. The U.S. Department of Education recognized Garvin Memorial Elementary School as an Exemplary Achieving Gap Closing School for its work in narrowing achievement gaps between student groups and the overall student body.  

"As our newest National Blue Ribbon Schools, Garvin Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Sowams Elementary exemplify what is possible when we prioritize equity and high standards for every student," said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “We applaud these school communities and remain committed to building on this success to ensure all Rhode Island students have the opportunity to achieve at the highest levels.”  

Through a rigorous review process, the U.S. Department of Education awards several hundred outstanding schools annually, to celebrate their achievement. Earlier this week, RIDE announced three Rhode Island schools received the National Blue Ribbon School designation. Garvin Memorial Elementary School joined Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Providence and Sowams Elementary School in Barrington as 2024 awardees. 

“We applaud the efforts of everyone who works hard every day to make Garvin School our third Blue Ribbon School," said Cumberland Mayor Jeffrey Mutter. "It was great to celebrate with everyone. Congratulations to Principal Carter and all the dedicated teachers and support staff who are responsible for this tremendous achievement.”

“The Blue Ribbon recognition is a tremendous achievement and a well-deserved honor for Garvin Memorial School,” said Cumberland School Department Superintendent Dr. Philip D. Thornton. "The consistent focus on student proficiency and the strong teamwork approach make this a very special award. Cumberland is very proud to have Garvin be the third school in the district to attain this designation since 2017." 

Garvin Memorial Elementary School has shown substantial academic improvement in math. It is the second school in Cumberland to receive the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School designation following Ashton Elementary in 2021. Community Elementary School received the Exemplary High Performing School designation in 2017. 

“We are so grateful to be recognized for this prestigious award. The teachers and staff at Garvin have worked tirelessly to address achievement gaps through their instruction every school day. Teacher collaboration through Common Planning Time has helped us determine specific needs that our Special Educators and Interventionists have targeted during small group instruction,” said Garvin Memorial Elementary Principal Michelle Carter. “We promote a positive learning culture across the school and help students continuously achieve success. We are proud of our students’ hard work and effort. Their progress and determination are truly admirable and deserving of this recognition. It is an honor to serve this community, and we can’t wait to celebrate as a whole school.” 

For more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools program and this year’s winners, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website. 

###