Avona Elementary School in Northampton County joined a dozen other schools on the inaugural Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools list, a state effort to continue a national awards program the Trump administration ended in August.
The Wilson Area School District elementary school was recognized for academic growth. In the 2022-23 school year, 14% of its students demonstrated growth in reading proficiency and third and fourth graders scored above the state average on PSSA assessments in math, English and science.
The school’s testimonial also highlights its service to English learners, who now form 40% of the student population. The school, located in a suburb of Easton, has seen a 69.4% increase in its English learner population, which is more than double the state average of 31.7%.
“At Avona, we believe that success is rooted in effort, persistence, and continuous personal development. We cultivate classrooms that are safe, engaging, and culturally responsive — spaces where students feel connected, respected, and inspired to grow,” the school’s testimonial states. “Throughout the year, we honor our students’ diverse cultural backgrounds in meaningful ways and regularly celebrate individual progress through daily, monthly, and quarterly recognition.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Education sought to recognize schools that were top performers on state assessments and those that narrowed achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student population.
“Pennsylvania’s schools deserve to have their hard work recognized, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe said in a department news release. “While Washington may have stepped back from the Blue Ribbon program, the Shapiro Administration is stepping forward to shine a light on schools that are showing real progress in closing the achievement gap. These schools prove that with commitment, creativity, and care, we can ensure that every student has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. That’s something worth celebrating, and Pennsylvania is proud to lead the way.”
