MADISON – The Alabama State Board of Education has announced that Heritage Elementary School has achieved inclusion in the “Top 25 Percent Schools” for all Alabama school districts.

Nelson visited Montgomery on Feb. 8 to accept Heritage’s resolution of award during a regular meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education in Gordon Persons Auditorium. Dr. Wayne Reynolds, State Board of Education member who represents District 8 that includes Madison City Schools, presented the resolution to Nelson.

The resolution states that state board “recognizes, appreciates and encourages schools to implement instructional programs that result in having higher levels of performance for Alabama students. The Legislative School Performance Recognition Program was created within the Alabama State Department of Education to reward public schools that either demonstrate high performance by being ranked in the top 25 percent of public schools, as ranked in the school grading system, or demonstrate exemplary progress by improving the overall annual ranking of the school by at least one letter grade, as ranked in the school grading system.”

“The Legislative School Performance Recognition Program provides an opportunity for all public schools across the state an opportunity to be recognized for their positive educational advances and the outstanding academic achievement of their students,” the resolution stated.

“The Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend and congratulate the Legislative School Performance Program Recognition Schools comprised of the ‘Top 25 Percent Schools’ and ‘25 Most Improved Schools’ . . . for their hard work and determination to improving student outcomes,” the resolution stated.

“Congratulations on the school in your district being named a Legislative School Performance Recognition Program School,” Shanthia Washington said. Washington serves as Assistant State Superintendent – Evaluation, Accountability and Support.

“As the principal at Heritage, I will say that we are extremely proud to receive this honor for two years in a row. This is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our entire Heritage Elementary community,” Nelson said.

“We have the best teachers, staff, parents and students, and we are so proud of their continual hard work and accomplishments,” Nelson said. “To be able to say that two years in a row we are considered one of the best elementary schools in the entire State of Alabama is a great honor.”

Nelson said the Heritage school community is “grateful to use the money received in this award to help us upgrade technology in our classrooms. Currently, we are replacing our outdated SmartBoards with state-of-the-art, interactive boards in all of our classrooms. This money will assist us in this endeavor.”

A school in proximity to Madison City Schools that earned recognition is Chapman Middle School in Huntsville City Schools in the “25 Most Improved Schools” category.

For more information, visit alabamaachieves.org/state-board-of-education.