Pollard Middle School in Needham, Massachusetts, recently held its eighth-grade "moving up" ceremony, featuring a staggering 23 sets of twins! Principal Tamantha Bibbo noted that while the school typically has a large student body, the number of twins this year is unusually high, far exceeding the usual five to ten sets.
With around 450 to 500 students per grade, the 23 sets of twins, plus one student whose twin attends another school, make up about 10% of the class. What’s with all the twins? Well, Fox News says according to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), twin births have been increasing for the past 30 years.
I had 2 sets of twins in my school life. A brother and sister and 2 identical twins who still messed me up until the day I graduated!
8 North Carolina Schools Earned The Distinction of National Blue Ribbon Schools
Yesterday 8 North Carolina schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the Department of Education, "the recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. These schools demonstrate what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives." A total of 353 schools nationwide received this distinction, this included 313 public schools and 40 private schools. Each of the 8 North Carolina schools recognized was a public school.
The award-winning schools will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on November 16 and 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the 40th year the Department of Education has selected the National Blue Ribbon Schools. According to the department the criteria for public schools are as follows:
Performance Award Criteria for Public Schools: In order to be eligible for nomination, a school must meet several criteria based on the performance of its students on state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics or a composite of performance on these assessments with other measures of student performance (e.g., student growth on state assessments, performance on state assessments in other subjects, graduation rates, or other indicators in the state’s accountability system).
You can read more about the eligibility requirements here. Congratulations to each of these eight North Carolina Schools that received the National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. They represent elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. In fact, there are 7 different school districts represented with the remaining school being a charter school. Keep reading to see and learn a little more about each of these schools. Congratulations and thank you to the teachers and staff of these schools for giving your best to the children of North Carolina!
Beaufort County Early College High School
Location: 5337 Highway 264 East, Washington, NC
District: Beaufort County Schools
Public
Beaufort County Early College High School exists in coordination with Beaufort County Community College where students can earn college credits while in high school. It's one of only two high schools that made this list.
Fairview Elementary School
Location: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC
District: Buncombe County Schools
Public
There are actually several Fairview Elementary Schools in Charlotte. This one though is in Buncombe County and has approximately 660 students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.
Greensboro Academy
Location: 4049 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro
District: n/a
Public
Greensboro Academy is a charter school in Greensboro. Charter Schools offer a private school quality eduction but for free. Students simply have to apply for admission which is available to any student in NC. Greensboro Academy serves grades K-8.
Heyward C Bellamy Elementary School
Location: 70 Sanders Road, Wilmington
District: New Hanover County Schools
Public
Known as Bellamy Elementary School, this award-winning school serves students in grades 1-5 in Wilmington, NC.
Highland School of Technology
Location: 1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia
District: Gaston County Schools
Public
Our second and last high school on this list, is Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. Highland is the first magnet high school in this district. Students complete courses in one of three academies: Health Sciences; Business, Legal, and Information Sciences; and Manufacturing/Engineering Technology and Graphics.
Jay M Robinson Middle School
Location: 5925 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC
District: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
Public
Jay M Robinson is a 6-8th grade middle school in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. It's home to the Chargers!
Lucama Elementary School
Location: 6260 E Blalock Road, Lucama NC
District: Wilson County Schools
Public
Lucama serves students in Wilson County in grades K-5. They state the school's purpose is to develop each student to their fullest potential.
W. R. Odell Elementary School
Location: 1885 Odell School Road, Concord, NC
District: Cabarrus County Schools
Public
Odell Elementary is a grades 3-5 elementary school in Concord, NC.
