Crabapple Crossing Elementary named a National Blue Ribbon School

Crabapple Crossing Elementary will be honored at a recognition ceremony Nov. 12-13 in Washington, D.C. as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. Image: Wikipedia.org

Crabapple Crossing Elementary School in Milton was selected one of only 269 schools nationwide to be named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. The distinction is based on the school’s overall academic excellence, honoring schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements in achievement are being made.

A two-time winner of the Georgia School of Excellence distinction (2010 and 2004), Crabapple Crossing had set a goal to become a national winner by 2013. School officials were pleased to have earned the honor one year ahead of their goal.

“We are so excited and truly honored to be recognized on the national level,” said Crabapple Crossing Principal George Freiberger. “Everything starts with teachers and students in the classroom, and it shows in the performance of the kids. Ultimately, having a dedicated staff, empowered students, active parents and a supportive community contributed to our success.”

Freiberger, who has been the principal of Crabapple Crossing for three years, also credits the school’s “Team Time” for creating a culture of connection and excellence. Three years ago, the school implemented a program to start the day with 15-minute classroom meetings where students and teachers could interact on a higher level.

“It’s important for teachers to connect with students, to show them that they care, before expecting them to perform well,” he said. “This really changed the culture of our school in such a way that it blended teamwork between students and teachers, parents and the administration.”

Crabapple Crossing Elementary will be honored at a recognition ceremony Nov. 12-13 in Washington, D.C.

Fulton School Superintendent Robert Avossa welcomed Crabapple Crossing into the elite group of local schools honored at the national level.

“Crabapple Crossing embodies the Fulton County Schools motto – ‘Where Students Come First,’” said Avossa. “Everything they do focuses on how to help students be successful and become engaged in their learning. Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is an honor for them and also for the Fulton County School System.”

The National Blue Ribbon program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories: “Exemplary High Performing,” measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests; and “Exemplary Improving,” measured by improvements in student achievement in schools with high numbers of economically disadvantaged students.

Source: Alpharetta Revue & News

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Fulton Science Academy MS named a National Blue Ribbon School

Fulton Science Academy Middle School - 2011 National Blue Ribbon School

In just 10 years, the Fulton Science Academy Middle School (FSA) has gone from being one of Fulton County’s top middle schools to receiving national recognition for its student achievement.

The Alpharetta charter school was recently named one of only seven schools in Georgia designated as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The award is given annually to schools where students achieve at very high levels, or for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. FSA was honored under the academic achievement criteria.

In addition to FSA, other Blue Ribbon schools in Georgia for 2011 include Big Creek Elementary (Forsyth County), Calhoun High (Calhoun City Schools), Mount Yonah Elementary (White), Peachtree City Elementary (Fayette), Shirley Hills Elementary (Houston), Timber Ridge Elementary (Cobb) and Trion Elementary (Trion City).

FSA Principal Kenan Sener attributes the school’s success over the past decade to a combination of personal attention, high expectations and a team approach to education.

“Our school’s academic success is the result of our commitment to continuous improvement and the personal attention we give to our students and their families,” said Sener. “Our success is the product of this team effort.”

He noted the school has received numerous awards over the years, but the Blue Ribbon designation was special in that it broke new ground for start-up charter schools in Georgia.

“I was truly honored for FSA to be recognized as the first charter school in Georgia to ever receive the national Blue Ribbon Award,” said Sener. “We feel especially proud to receive this news in our 10th year as we break ground on our new school building.”

FSA was founded 10 years ago on the premise of a curriculum steeped in math and science. Since first opening its doors, the county’s first charter middle school attracted students and parents drawn to the rigorous curriculum and small class sizes.

Unlike many charter schools that struggle to attract students, FSA was at full enrollment within three years of opening. The school currently has a waiting list of more than 450 students.

Sener said there are a number of elements of FSA that provide a different middle school experience than in the traditional setting.

“To begin with, we are a smaller school with only 510 students [and] we have a lower teacher to student ratio in our classrooms,” said Sener. “We work hard to foster a family-centered atmosphere, and our teachers and administrators take part in weekly ‘home visits’ where we visit students and their families in their home environment.”

Notably, the investigations/connected math concept that faced strong resistance, and ultimate demise, in the traditional schools, is the curriculum at FSA. However, more time is allotted for math at FSA than in traditional schools, which is one factor for the success of the program.

Four years ago, the high school component of FSA (the Fulton Science Academy High School) opened, and last year the elementary school (Sunshine Academy) opened. While the three schools have separate governing boards and charters, they do provide students a kindergarten through high school path with aligned curriculum options.

“In looking at the bigger picture, some ideas are only possible if they are done K through 12, such as college preparation,” said Sener. “College preparation is not only the job of high schools. It should actually start in the elementary years. Having three sister schools working on the same goal together, we are hopeful that we will be able to help our students to enroll in their college of choice.”

Fulton Science Academy Middle School - 2011 National Blue Ribbon School

Representatives from FSA will join other national Blue Ribbon winners at an awards ceremony on Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C.

Click to see a list of previous Blue Ribbon schools from Fulton County.

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Greater North Fulton Guide

For people who are moving to the North Fulton area (including Alpahretta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, and Sandy Springs), there’s a tremendous online resource in The Guide of Greater North Fulton.

Covered topics in the Guide include:

Click here to go to the online Guide to Greater North Fulton published by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

• Communities
• Healthcare
• Important phone numbers
• Education
• Arts & Culture
• Recreation
• Government
• Housing
• Economic Development
• North Fulton Community Improvement District
• Chamber of Commerce

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