Barge Visits Blue Ribbon Big A Elementary

Students greet the helicopter carrying State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge

Students greet the helicopter carrying State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge

Big A Elementary School gets a visit from a top school official in Georgia.

State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge visited Big A Elementary School on Friday morning.

He came to Big A to recognize the school for being named as a National Blue Ribbon School this year.

Dr. Barge arrived by helicopter and was greeted by students, faculty, and others outside the school.

He then spoke to all of those in attendance inside the school’s gymnasium.

Dr. Barge said that being named a National Blue Ribbon School is a pretty big deal, as only about 300 schools in the entire country received that honor this year.

“You are one of only eight schools in the entire state of Georgia that is receiving this honor,” said Dr. Barge to Big A Elementary. “Just so you know how big that is … we have, in the state of Georgia, over 2,000 schools in the state and you are one of only eight to receive this recognition. That means you are the cream of the crop, the top of the list.”

Dr. Barge credited the students for a job well done, as well as the administrators and others for their support.

He then turned his attention to the teachers and thanked them for all of their hard work that made this award possible.

Dr. Barge speaks to students and staff at Big A Elementary

Dr. Barge speaks to students and staff at Big A Elementary

Dr. Barge said they have done an excellent job with not just teaching students, but doing so while also dealing with all of the rules and changes that have come and continue to come from the state level.

“What you all represent for us is those folks that can take the change, take it in stride, implement those things, and continue to get tremendous results with your students so thank you very much for the job you do,” said Dr. Barge.

The U.S. Department of Education named Big A Elementary School as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2014 in September.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

Big A Elementary was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.

U.S. Education Department officials said those schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.