UISD’s Kazen Elementary School was selected as one of 356 schools nationwide to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. The announcement was televised live from Washington DC for “watch parties” across the country for the winning schools on September 23.
Locally, about 400 students (pre-k to 5th grade), their teachers, administrators, staff and guests gathered to see, via technology, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognize all 356 schools, one by one. When Kazen Elementary School was named, balloons fell from a tethered canopy in the school’s gymnasium, and those attending the celebration erupted in applause at the accomplishment.
This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. UISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz and members of his management team planned the celebration to recognize everyone including the principals and teachers, thanking each of them for their hard work and dedication.
Board Member Michelle Molina said she was excited to see so much energy at the school, and she praised Principal Monica Arriaga for leading the team to this victory.
“She works really hard, and it shows,” said Molina. “To have a national Blue Ribbon Campus on Mines Road is a big deal for us. There's a lot for us to celebrate. We're very proud of Ms. Arriaga's leadership. She has demonstrated that she's not a boss, she's a leader. She's absolutely everywhere; the families trust her, and they love her.”
Founded in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students' academic achievement.
Kazen Elementary Principal Monica Arriaga says she took the job six years ago because she loves to see students grow and prosper.
"When I became the principal, my goal was to provide the best instruction for students, the best customer service for parents, and support for my teachers,” Arriaga said. “I'm a very competitive person. I used to coach sports, and everyone knows me for turning everything into a competition. I started a little bit at a time to outdo our previous years’ levels of performance. I did not plan to win this; but with my teams’ help, we took care of daily success, and it led to one great success.”
Arriaga said this is the first time that Kazen Elementary has been selected for this national award.
“It is a great honor to be recognized,” she states proudly. “We lost 50 percent of our staff during the Pandemic. That was a curveball we did not expect, but we accepted the challenge, and I hired the best people I could find,” she recalls. “The secret to our success is our dedicated teachers in the classroom. They make the magic happen.”
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
Principal Arriaga says being a parent to a child with Autism has helped her to develop exceptional instruction for the four special education units at the school.
“I make sure we have an all inclusive campus, especially for our special education students. No child gets left behind at my campus. We advocate for everyone's needs, no matter how different they may be. We set forth to make sure we educate the whole child. We care about them and love them, and they are happy to learn.”
Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.
# # #
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
