West Shore Jr./Sr. High School in Melbourne Named 2018 National Blue Ribbon School
By Matt Reed, PIO/Assistant Superintendent // October 2, 2018
only high school in Florida that has received Blue Ribbon honors three times
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – West Shore Jr./Sr. High School in Melbourne has been named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School — one of only nine schools in Florida to earn the elite designation.
To earn the federal Blue Ribbon award, a school’s students must be among the state’s top performers on state accountability measures including assessments in English and Math.
The U.S. Department of Education also looks for demographic and geographic diversity that matches the state’s public school-age population. The award “affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content,” the DOE says.
Said Principal Rick Fleming said after receiving the news Monday: “West Shore Jr./Sr. High School is ecstatic indeed to yet again be in such elite company with this recognition. Our success is due to several factors including an amazing instructional and support staff, immeasurable support from parents and community members, our school board and superintendent, and — most certainly — our exceptionally hard-working students.”
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a video statement: “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives.”
West Shore — a public school that draws interested students by lottery — is the only high school in Florida that has received Blue Ribbon honors three times under criteria that changed in 2002.
In 2017, three Brevard schools won National Blue Ribbon honors: Edgewood Jr./Sr. High on Merritt Island; Robert L. Stephenson on Merritt Island; and Manatee Elementary in Viera.
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