Boley Elementary was recognized in 2023, as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Boley, under the leadership of Principal Sandy Bates, is one of just 353 schools nationally to receive the recognition, which is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. I am truly amazed at the resiliency of the Boley family - students, faculty, staff - and the Boley community," Mrs. Bates said. "It continues to amaze me how teachers and students at Boley Elementary can keep improving year after year." "The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. "As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families." Boley is the third school in the Ouachita Parish School District and the first district school in 17 years to receive this prestigious honor. George Welch Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2006 and A.L. Smith (now Sterlington Elementary) received the recognition in 2004. This is the second time in as many years that Boley Elementary has been recognized for its achievements. Last December, Boley was named a Louisiana Comeback Campus, an award that recognizes the impact educators have made the students despite facing extraordinary obstacles over the past two years. In April 2019, lightning struck Boley Elementary, sparking a fire that consumed the whole school. Boley faculty and students spent the remainder of the school year scattered among different schools, and then spent the next three years in a rented building. The newly constructed Boley Elementary in the same location as the old school opened in August 2022. "We have known for a long time in Ouachita Parish the strength of Boley Elementary through the years," said Todd Guice, Ouachita Parish Superintendent. "Being able to rise from the aftermath of the tragedy of April 2019 to achieve the status of a National Blue Ribbon School is phenomenal and a true testament to the leadership, staff, and students at Boley. We could not be prouder of this accomplishment." The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates: Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's student groups and all students.