The Courier Recognizes Pressman Academy For Its National Blue Ribbon Award

By Dupé Aleru|May 10, 2011|10:55 a.m.

As the 2010-2011 school year come to an end, one can appreciate the many successes of its students, teachers, administration and school. The Beverly Hills community is proud of its many schools—Pressman Academy, being one of them.

In the beginning of the school year, Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am Day School was recognized as a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School, by the U.S. Department of Education.

The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in Washington, D.C. Pressman Academy was recognized in the high performing school category.

One might ask, how does a school get chosen for such a prestigious award? For starters, the Secretary of Education invites each Chief State School Officer (CSSO), the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) from each state to nominate those schools who meet the criteria to submit to the Secretary.

Pressman Academy Day School was nominated for the Blue Ribbon by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). Proceeding the nomination, the US Department of Education verified Pressman as one on the nation’s highest performing schools— measured in both reading (English language arts) and mathematics on standard achievement tests.

“Our nation has a responsibility to help all children realize their full potential, schools honored with the Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to achievement and to ensuring that students learn and succeed. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and must receive a quality education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the announcement ceremony.

“We are particularly proud of this accomplishment because it affirms that our Day School’s commitment to a balanced curriculum of rigorous academics balanced with social, emotional, and spiritual learning enhances our students ability to be successful at the highest levels in general studies. This commitment, along with our emphasis on Hebrew and Judaic studies, makes Pressman Academy unique both in Los Angeles and across the United States,” said Head of School Rabbi Mitchel Malkus.