Two Nebraska elementary schools have been recognized nationally for positive educational advances and outstanding student achievement, with one of them here in the Panhandle.
Bridgeport Elementary has been named a 2025 National ESEA Distinguished School for exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth, one of three categories in which a school receiving ESEA funds may qualify.
Omaha’s Adams Elementary was honored for closing the achievement gap between student groups.
The schools were named by the Nebraska Department of Education and collectively exhibit the following common characteristics:
- A poverty rate of at least 35% for the selected year (may use the state’s average poverty rate to qualify a school if below 35%)
- Demonstrated high academic achievement (which may include high academic growth)
- Met or exceeded state-determined accountability criteria
- Must be federally funded by one or more ESEA programs
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was passed as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty”, with Title I designed to close the skill gap in reading, writing and mathematics between children from low-income households and children from the middle-class.
All National ESEA Distinguished Schools are recognized with a commemorative award package, a dedicated section on the ESEA Network website, and a special celebration at the National ESEA Conference next month in Denver.