Gov. Greg Abbott has named schools across the Dallas-Fort Worth area among the winners of the “Lone Star Ribbon” award throughout the state.
Abbott awarded the “Lone Star Ribbon” to 28 schools on September 29 for high academic performance and closing achievement gaps, according to a press release. The award is Texas’ version of the national Blue Ribbon Schools program, which the Department of Education discontinued in August to return education duties to the states.
“Today, we recognize the Texas schools whose hard work from teachers, staff, and parents are helping our students achieve academic excellence,” Abbott said in the release. “Texas will continue to invest in our schools to improve performance and better prepare Texans for the workforce.”
The DFW-area winners include Kent Elementary and Rosemeade Elementary in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Dodd Elementary School in Wylie ISD, Harmony Science Academy in Euless, and St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas.
Dodd Elementary apparently held a celebratory lunch. St. Rita Catholic School also celebrated on Facebook: “Governor Abbott names St. Rita Catholic School a Lone Star Ribbon School!”
Abbott also recognized other schools across the state, including the following:
- Barbers Hill Elementary North – Barbers Hill ISD
- George West Primary School – George West ISD
- Harmony Science Academy – Katy, Sugar Land
- Carnegie Vanguard High School, Project Chrysalis Middle School, Thompson Elementary – Houston ISD
- Jack Segal Academy of Beth Yeshurun – Houston
- Hunt School – Hunt ISD
- Diaz-Villarreal Elementary – La Joya ISD
- Meyer Elementary – Lamar CISD
- Daiches Elementary, D D Hachar Elementary, Macdonell Elementary – Laredo ISD
- Mumford Elementary – Mumford ISD
- Palo Pinto Elementary – Palo Pinto ISD
- Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD
- Delia Gonzalez Garcia Elementary, RT Barrera Elementary – Roma ISD
- Harry Shimotsu Elementary – Sharyland ISD
- Markham Elementary – Tidehaven ISD
- Early College High School – Tyler ISD
- Stanton-Smith Elementary – Whitehouse ISD
The governor’s office said the Lone Star Ribbon program would “better reflect” the needs and values of local communities.
“Texas is on the pathway to become No. 1 in educating our children,” Abbott said. “Together, we will chart a path toward a bigger, brighter Texas.”