The U.S. Department of Education dropped a half-mile long blue ribbon along Wootton Parkway last week.
The Department of Education named Thomas S. Wootton High School a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The high school, which educates students from Potomac, North Potomac and Rockville, is one of four schools in Maryland and one of 172 middle and high schools nationwide to receive the 2002 honor, according to reports issued by Montgomery County Public Schools.
"Many of us have known all along the wonderful things that are happening there," said Gayle Smith, Wootton parent. "What happens is that you get so used the norm and just think this is the way things should be run. Then, someone comes in with fresh eyes and tells you how wonderful it is."
WOOTTON RECEIVED a Maryland state Blue Ribbon award last fall from the Maryland State Department of Education along with two other high schools and six middle schools in Maryland. Four of these schools later earned national recognition.
Wootton was selected for the national award after a review and on-site visit by the U.S. Department of Education. To receive the honor, Wootton had to demonstrate high achievement in areas including student performance, instruction, parent and community involvement and professional development, according to Montgomery County Public Schools.
Newman credits her faculty, her students and the parents and community involved in the school.
"It's a tremendous honor. This community does a great job working in partnership with the school," said Dr. Rebecca Newman, seven-year principal of Wootton. "This is an opportunity to stop and look at all the things we do."
One of the opportunities that Wootton offers is the DNA Resource Center, which offers upper-level biotechnology courses and internships at institutions such as the National Institutes of Health.
"Staff over there is modest and just think that this is what they should be doing. It's nice that they get recognition of what they are so deserving of," said Smith.
"STUDENTS COME READY to excel and do a wonderful job," said Newman.
Over the last five years, Wootton has also had the highest percentage of students involved in extra-curricular activities among high schools in Montgomery County Public Schools.
"We have all kinds of clubs, teams, national and local competitions, things that make for a well-rounded high school," said Newman.
Said Smith: "The big part is what they are doing. The national committee met with us and was so impressed with the kids, how much responsibility they are taking and how much they are a part of the decision making and what is getting done."
Since the award program began in 1982, schools in Montgomery County have earned a national blue ribbon award 29 times. The national Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Program honors elementary and secondary schools in alternate years.