Freeport’s New Visions School of Exploration and Discovery has been named a 2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in recognition of its high student performance and engaging curriculum.

New Visions, which was the Freeport School District’s—and Long Island’s—first magnet school of choice when it opened in 1995, is among only 14 schools statewide and three on Long Island to be so honored. New Visions initially opened in leased space, and in 2003 moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art school building.

“This is an exciting and well deserved recognition for New Visions School, and I congratulate the staff, students and parents,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eric L. Eversley. “Given the strong upward momentum of student performance in all eight of our schools, I expect that others will soon follow the pathway New Visions has paved.”

New Visions principal Renee Crump and teacher Aneesah Abdus-Shakur have been invited to Washington D.C. on November 9 and 10, where they will accept the award for New Visions and join in other activities with representatives from 281 schools being similarly recognized nationwide.

“My teachers and support staff truly deserve so much credit,” said Crump. “Long before talk of a blue ribbon, they demonstrated passion and persistence, excellence in their craft and consummate professionalism. They did it for the purest and noblest of reasons—they love and believe in Freeport’s children.”

New York State nominated New Visions for the Blue Ribbon award, which honors schools in which students score with the top 10% on state assessments, or where at least 40% of students from disadvantaged backgrounds dramatically improve their performance on state tests. New Visions has accomplished both: for the past three years, the school’s performance in English language arts and mathematics has consistently shown growth, and the majority of New Visions’ second language learners score at the advanced and proficient levels.

Last February, nominees were invited to submit a detailed application to the U.S. Department of Education, describing each curriculum area and how students are engaged with content based on high academic standards. With the help of Dr. Eversley, Assistant Superintendent Robert Harris, Magnet Schools and Grants Director Carolyn Thompson, Director of Second Languages Sue Greca and Language Arts and Math Coordinators Pamela Maltese and Nancy Schempp. Crump submitted demographic and test-result data, a summary and history of the school, and information about staff development. She also explained New Visions’ philosophy of learning and its museum theme.

In Washington, New Visions will be awarded a plaque, and a “Blue Ribbon School” banner for outside display. Crump and Abdus-Shakur will attend meetings and seminars with other nationally recognized school principals and teachers.