The feds have zeroed in on the troubled NYC school system — to recognize six schools for high academic achievement!
Brandon Contarsy, principal of Nathaniel Hawthorne Middle School 74, in Bayside-Oakland Gardens, Queens, told The Post the National Blue Ribbon from the US Department of Education was a “really great psychological morale boost to our community.”
Just 325 schools nationwide got the award this year, according to the State Education Department. The feds recognize schools as for either “high-performing” or “gap-closing.”
MS 74 is the former, Contarsy said. He’s new to the school, and emphasized the award recognized “years” of work put in by the school’s teachers and staff.
The feds use state assessment tests to decide which schools are honored.
Independence School aka PS 234 won a National Blue Ribbon. Laura Cavanaugh
The PS 249 aka the Caton School in Brooklyn was recognized for high academic achievement. Paul MartinkaPS 310 is another “high-performing” blue-ribbon school, serving an 85% Asian student body in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
“Most of our families are immigrant families,” Principal Yuqing Hong said. “They really have hope for their kids,”
The other city Blue Ribbon schools were: PS 249, Brooklyn; PS 234, Manhattan; PS 290, Manhattan; PS 41, Manhattan.
