Belgrade, Harlem Schools honored for excellence in achievement

Press release

HELENA — Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau is honoring two Montana schools that serve a large share of low-income children for their excellence in achievement.

Harlem High School in Harlem and Ridge View Elementary School in Belgrade received the 2016 Distinguished Schools Award through the Office of Public Instruction and National Title I Association.

“Excellence can be found in each of Montana’s public schools,” Superintendent Juneau said, “I’m proud to present Ridge View and Harlem High with this year’s Distinguished Schools Award for their remarkable achievements.”

Ridge View received the High Achieving schools award for their students’ performance on the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Sixty-nine percent of students tested proficient or advanced in English/language arts, and 74 percent were proficient or advanced in math.

Harlem High School received the Excellence in Serving Special Populations award for its Graduation Matters Montana work. Harlem’s graduation rate has increased from 66 percent in 2013 to 91 percent in 2015.

Both schools will receive $12,500 and will attend the National Title I Conference in February. To qualify for the awards, the school must have a Title I program and have a poverty rate of at least 35 percent.