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/
Merrywives' Blog 
I loved what Ms. LeAnne told the reporters (basically) : We didn’t do this to earn an award, and we won’t carry on for that reason.
An Award is great , but working for excellence in Education, and the lives of our children — priceless. I am so grateful for the school board, administration, the wonderful and caring teachers and their committed service, the great support system in staff, and the many, many, volunteers and parents who commit hours to this program.
To have this acknowledged nationally is wonderful.