City High Middle School in Grand Rapids and Countryside Elementary School in Byron Center are among 16 Michigan schools recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). The Blue Ribbon designation is given to schools that perform well on state and national assessments.
The award was previously managed by the U.S. Department of Education. After the federal program was discontinued, the MDE continued the recognition for this year’s schools. City High Middle School, which received the national award in 2019, was notified by Principal Charlotte Vandervliet about the new recognition before the federal program ended. Vandervliet noted the role of community support and mentioned that receiving the award twice in six years is uncommon.
City High’s International Baccalaureate program and its focus on accessibility and academic standards were factors in its selection. Vandervliet acknowledged the efforts of students and staff in achieving this recognition…