Merrywives’ Blog

In September, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings named Masada Charter

School as a 2008 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School.

One of 320 schools honored, Masada was selected as part of a national program to

recognize successful schools.

“These Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve,”

Spellings said. “Now our challenge is to help other schools follow their lead by continuing to

measure progress through No Child Left Behind, and by using the knowledge we’ve gained to

replicate effective strategies and help every student improve.”

The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools

for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the

achievement gap.

The program honors public and private elementary, middle and high school students that

demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.

Located in Centennial Park, Masada ranks in the top 10-percent of schools in Arizona and

has been labeled as an “excelling school” within the guidelines of the No Child Left Behind Act.

The school has been invited to present at the Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony in Arlington,

Virginia on Oct. 20 and 21. The presentation will focus on the significance of their actionresearch

program. Masada has trained a highly qualified staff and links student achievement to

continuing staff development.

“We are excited and honored to receive this award and wish to share this recognition with

our community. Masada’s program is the product of a highly skilled and committed staff, a

dedicated and supportive parent community, and an active leadership team that believes in

putting resources in the classroom,” said LeAnne Timpson, the principal.

The school is located on the Utah-Arizona border and has some 461 students in grades K

through 9.

 You may check out their website at: http://www.masadaschool.org/