Politics & Government

Woodholme Elementary School Earns Blue Ribbon Status

Pikesville school is the 16th Baltimore County Public school to be honored.

Pikesville's  was named a 2012 Maryland Blue Ribbon School, school officials learned this morning.

It is among six elementary schools to earn that designation, according to a news release from Baltimore County Public Schools.

Principal Maralee Clark gave credit to Baltimore County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joe Hairston as well her staff and the community for creating "a challenging school environment," the release stated.

Find out what's happening in Pikesvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“As a school that was built and developed during Dr. Hairston’s tenure, it is fitting that Woodholme is representing Baltimore County this year," Clark said in the release.

Blue Ribbon School designation is a program that recognizes schools that meet standards developed by the Maryland State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education, the release stated. Woodholme opened in 2005 and is the 16th Baltimore County public school to receive the honor.

Find out what's happening in Pikesvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Interim State Superintendent Dr. Bernard J. Sadusky presented Clark, members of her staff, Dr. Hairston, and Assistant Superintendent Verletta White with the award Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday afternoon, Clark hosted a schoolwide assembly and gave out blue ribbons for students and staff to wear. 

The school received a Maryland Blue Ribbon flag to display. Other bonuses included $2,000, an interactive smartboard, and a pizza party.

As a Blue Ribbon school, Woodholme will be honored by Sadusky and other dignitaries at a banquet on March 19.

State officials will submit the school’s achievement record for a national Blue Ribbon designation. Awardees will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education in fall 2012, the release stated.

“As we celebrate Woodholme’s honor, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the same level of excellence, academic rigor, and educational opportunities for all public school students across Baltimore County," Hairston said in the release.

Editor's Note: The original version of this article misspelled Maralee Clark's name. We regret the error.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here