Chief Joseph Elementary School has again been named a National Blue Ribbon School.

The U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 356 schools in the 2024 cohort, highlighting schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

Chief Jo last received a National Blue Ribbon award in 2005, according to the school’s application.

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” Cardona said in a release. “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.”

Chief Jo was one of two Montana schools to receive the recognition this year, the other in Missoula.

Sacajawea, Lincoln, Chief Jo install new playground equipment

“It is rewarding to see the collaboration and hard work of all be recognized at such a high level. This award speaks to the efforts of many people from staff, students and families to our community partners. We feel so appreciative of everyone’s role and support in this,” Principal Andee Thares told The Electric. “The staff is very excited about receiving this honor, and some of them were here in 2005. Some of our younger students have yet to understand the magnitude of this award, but we look forward to celebrating this with the students in order to bridge that understanding.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon Schools are:

• led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards
• showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff
• data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds
• collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates.

Chief Jo is a Title 1 school with 252 students, according to the award.

Chief Jo making first phase of playground improvements

Up to 420 schools may be nominated annually and the federal education department takes nominations for National Blue Ribbon Schools from the top education official in all states, Washington D.C., U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

Thares told The Electric that the nomination comes directly from the U.S. Department of Education based on a school’s reported achievement data and she received an email in January indicating that Chief Jo had been the requirements. Thares said Superintendent Heather Hoyer encouraged her to assemble a team to complete the lengthy application form explaining their goals and approaches to achieve them.

According to Chief Jo’s application, school officials have opted to track schoolwide progress by the percentage of students who have met or exceeded one more years of growth in math and reading to close the achievement gap.

“If 60 percent or more of our student population meets or exceeds their projected growth, the achievement gap will begin to close no matter at what level students come to us,” according to Chief Jo’s application.

Since state-mandated testing shifted from an end-of-year summary model to a through the year model, Chief Jo has used the district-mandated MAP assessment as their consistent data point for year-to-year growth comparisons.

Schoolwide data for the math assessment for the 2023-2024 school year showed 68 percent of students meeting or exceeding projected growth at the mid-year point, up from 40 percent the previous school year, according to their application.

Student achievement scores also rose from fall to winter, from the 51st to 62nd percentile, an improvement over the previous year when those scores dropped from 61 to 56 percent midyear.

In math, 93 percent of classrooms had 60 percent or more of their students meet or exceed their projected growth.

In reading, schoolwide growth was up to 53 percent, up from 36 percent the previous school year. Achievement scores improved from fall to winter, improved from a drop the previous year.

In reading, 36 percent of classrooms had 60 percent or more of their students meet or exceed their projected growth, according to the application.

“We know kids whose basic needs are not met will not be able to perform to their academic potential,” so the school uses a process to address attendance concerns, socio-emotional needs and behavior, collecting baseline data, implementing a plan of action, monitoring the plan and adjusting when needed.

“Not always do we land on the just right solution to support every student, all of the time, but we implement a systematic approach to try,” according to Chief Jo’s application.

Chief Jo has also developed special programs to meet student needs.

The school’s student population is 17 percent Native American, including those who identified in two or more race categories. Those students can participate in Culture Class, where they meet with a specialist and experience traditions and cultural components monthly for about an hour, according to the school’s application.

About a quarter of the school’s students are affiliated with the military and the school’s military liaison helps connect them with resources. Military-affiliated staff members also support students and connect with resources as needed. They also use their military and family life counselor who meets weekly with students, serving as a consistent support system, according to the school.

The school also supports their Special Olympics athletes with a liaison who answers questions and connects them with coaches and programs. Special Olympics Montana donated children’s books to the school library to help teachers teach about inclusion and the school participates in the Special Olympics Unified Champions program that helps create environments of inclusion, acceptance, respect and human dignity for all student with and without disabilities, according to Chief Jo’s application.

National Blue Ribbon schools are awarded flags to be displayed at the school to recognize their accomplishment.