Lake Forest South Elementary School, pictured above, is one of two schools in Delaware to be named 2024 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools.
Two Delaware schools have been nationally recognized for closing the achievement gap and supporting the academic growth of all our students.
Rehoboth Elementary School (Cape Henlopen School District) and Lake Forest South Elementary School (Lake Forest School District) have been named 2024 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools for the success of their students.
“We are committed to providing every student with the resources and support they need to succeed,” said Kevin Truitt, principal of Lake Forest South. “Being recognized at the national level reinforces the importance of that mission and inspires us to continue striving for excellence.”
He said the school has spent the past four years using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process to improve results at Lake Forest South.
MTSS is a framework that helps schools support students by providing evidence-based interventions for academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning. MTSS aims to identify struggling students and provide them with the right level of support as soon as possible.
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“Closing the achievement gap at Lake Forest South Elementary School using the MTSS process with fidelity requires a well-structured, data-driven approach that involves collaboration, ongoing assessment, and targeted interventions,” he said.
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) has been selecting examples of superior, federally-funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program since 1996.
Delaware DOE recognizes 15 other schools for excellence
Hodgson Vo-Tech High School is one of 15 Delaware schools named 2024 Recognition or Continued Excellence Schools for their students’ growth and progress in three categories: exceptional student performance, closing the achievement gap, and excellence for serving special populations.
Hodgson’s principal believes the school’s equity-rooted mission helped it earn the award.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to addressing and overcoming any challenges our students may face,” said Christine Colihan, principal of Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School in the New Castle County Vocational Technical School District.
“We believe that every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves the opportunity to thrive academically and personally,” Colihan said. “This award inspires us to keep pushing forward, strengthening our support systems, and adapting our teaching practices to meet the diverse needs of all students.”
2024 Recognition School Award Winners for Exceptional Student Performance
- Frederick Douglass Elementary School (Seaford School District)
- North Smyrna Elementary School (Smyrna School District)
- Seaford Central Elementary School (Seaford School District)
2024 Recognition School Award Winners for Closing the Achievement Gap
- Hartly Elementary School (Capital School District)
- Hodgson Vo-Tech High School (New Castle County Vocational Technical School District)
2024 Recognition School Award Winners for Excellence in Serving Special Populations
- Brookside Elementary School (Christina School District)
- Claymont Elementary School (Brandywine School District)
- Marbrook Elementary School (Red Clay Consolidated School District)
- North Georgetown Elementary School (Indian River School District)
- Kathleen Wilbur Elementary School (Colonial School District)
- Long Neck Elementary School (Indian River School District)
- Marshall Elementary School (Christina School District)
2024 School of Continued Excellence
- Blades Elementary School (Seaford School District)
- West Seaford Elementary School (Seaford School District)
- Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center (Woodbridge School District)
Awards are given for exceptional student performance and growth on the state’s English language arts and mathematics assessment for grades three through eight, academic growth, and closing the achievement gap between student groups on the grades three through eight assessment and the SAT taken in 11th grade, or excellence in serving special populations where multiple language learners showed exceptional growth toward meeting proficiency on the state’s English proficiency test.
“This recognition highlights the dedication of our entire school community – our hardworking students, committed educators, supportive families, and community members – who all contribute to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed,” said Lindsay DiEmidio, principal of Wilbur Elementary.
She said the school is proud of the progress of its multilingual learners and other student groups.
“Our team will continue to prioritize excellence in education, fostering a supportive atmosphere where all students can grow and excel,” she said. “This achievement reflects our collective efforts and dedication to academic growth and equity.”
To support the school’s multilingual learners, DiEmidio said the staff uses interactive activities, previews key vocabulary, and offers small group instruction for more personalized learning.
“Working closely with MLL teachers has also made a big difference in academic achievement for our students,” she said,
The 12 schools named 2024 Recognition Schools will receive an $8,000 award, a certificate, and a banner to hang in their building.
“The success of the schools and their programs honored by the awards provides hope and shines a light on the fact that despite challenges with performance on standardized testing, there is a lot of good that does go on in our public school systems,” said Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover and member of the Senate Education Committee.
Carolyn Fries, principal of North Georgetown Elementary, said the school takes great pride in its recognition for excellence in serving special populations.
Its dedicated team of educators work tirelessly, she said, to ensure that the building’s multilingual learners achieve remarkable growth every day.
The three schools recognized as Schools of Continued Excellence will also receive a certificate and a banner.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
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