Tracey Magnet School is written about often here because Carver conducts a 5th grade transition program at this school and we are great admirers of the school’s principal, Theresa Rangel — and because the school keeps winning state and national awards!

Yesterday, Tracey Magnet School was named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School by the United States Department of Education.

The Blue Ribbon designation distinguishes Tracey as one of the state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Tracey is one of only 362 schools across the nation named as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2019.

“At Tracey Magnet School, our team of dedicated educators and staff have made it a priority to ensure that our students are engaged and passionate about learning and building good character,” said Tracey Magnet School Principal Theresa Rangel. “It is an honor to have our achievements recognized on a national level, and we are further inspired to continue to prepare our students for a successful future.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. More than 9,000 schools across the country have been presented with this coveted award. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. 

In November, the Department of Education will celebrate with 312 public and 50 non-public school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.  

Tracey was one of only 14 in Connecticut to earn the “Distinction” moniker last year for both high performance and high growth in ELA and Math, for all students and for high needs students as a separate category. The school’s character education program has significantly enhanced the climate of the school, and supported academic growth and achievement. 

Each day, more than 400 K-5 students at Tracey are challenged to leave their “PRINT” on the world by living the core values embedded in the Tracey pledge: Problem solving, Respect, Integrity, Being Neighborly and Taking Responsibility.

Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character in communities including schools, families, workplaces, and sports, recently designated Tracey Magnet School as a National School of Character. Tracey is the only school in the state of Connecticut to earn this title, joining 87 schools and 3 districts in 24 states across the country.