Vermont Business Roundtable Identifies Medallion Quality Public Schools for 2004

The Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) announces the selection of twenty-seven Vermont public schools as the 2004 Medallion Quality Public Schools. Designed to recognize outstanding student academic achievement and overall school quality, the Medallion Program is in its 12th year of presenting awards in this highly selective process.
Consistent with VBR's long-standing commitment to support high academic standards, meaningful statewide assessment of student performance, and comprehensive reporting of results, the selection criteria for Medallion Quality Public Schools are based on a review of the statewide public school assessment results for all public schools in Vermont, as published by the Vermont Department of Education.
"Each year the Medallion School review process highlights some fascinating examples of education being delivered in very creative and effective ways. This year is again noteworthy," said Lisa Ventriss, president of the VBR.
According to the 2002-2003 school year data, the following schools have achieved Medallion Quality Public School status for 2004:
For grades K-4 or 5: Charleston Elementary School (West Charleston), Dothan Brook School (White River Junction), Dummerston School (East Dummerston), Ferrisburgh Central School (Ferrisburgh), Franklin Central School (Franklin), Marion W. Cross School (Norwich), Newfane Elementary School (Newfane), Stowe Elementary School (Stowe), Thetford Elementary School (Thetford), Underhill Central School (Underhill Center), Waitsfield School (Waitsfield), Warren Elementary School (Warren), and White River School (White River Junction);
For grades 6-8: Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School (Essex Junction), Charleston Elementary School (West Charleston), Charlotte Central School (Charlotte), Essex Middle School (Essex Junction), Frederic Duclos Barstow Memorial School (Chittenden), Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School (South Burlington), Glover Community School (Glover), Putney Central School (Putney), Shelburne Community School (Shelburne), Stamford Elementary School (Stamford), Stowe Middle/High School (Stowe), and Westford Elementary School (Westford);
For grades 9-12: Cabot School (Cabot), Champlain Valley Union High School (Hinesburg), Mt. Mansfield Union High School (Jericho), and Stowe Middle/High School (Stowe).
It should be noted that Charleston Elementary School achieved Medallion Quality Public School status in both the elementary school grade level (K-4 or 5) and the middle school grade level (6-8). Likewise, Stowe Middle/High School achieved Medallion Quality Public School status in both the middle school grade level (6-8) and the high school grade level (9-12).
"The Charleston staff is delighted to be recognized as a Medallion Quality Public School. These designations acknowledge the consistent effort and teamwork of our entire school: students and staff, and the enthusiastic support of the Charleston community for their school. Our children continue to make us proud," said Linda Studer, principal of Charleston Elementary School.
Further analysis of the data is conducted to determine those schools that perform in the top 15% of schools on all tests[1] given, in each grade level category (elementary, middle, and high school).[2] These schools are designated as Gold Medallion Public School finalists and undergo another level of review based on site visits by VBR judges and written submissions from the principals of each school. Upon completion of this process, the judges will identify one school from each category (elementary, middle, and high school) that best demonstrates overall excellence in education as the Gold Medallion Public School Award winners.
This year, winning schools will each receive a framed 2004 Gold Medallion Public School Award certificate for display in their school, a check for $3,000 and a new IBM ThinkPad computer donated by IBM Microelectronics in Essex Junction. The Gold Medallion Award winners will be announced in early June.
"IBM is pleased to be associated with the Vermont Business Roundtable's Medallion Public School Award program. IBM's contribution of an IBM ThinkPad computer to each of the winning schools is a way of recognizing the importance of high achievement in education to Vermont's future," said John O'Kane, Manager of Community Relations and Government Affairs for IBM.
It is the vision of the Vermont Business Roundtable to make Vermont the best place in America to do business, be educated, and live life. We will achieve that vision through our members; CEOs developing solutions to important public policy issues through collaboration, research and analysis, and communications and advocacy.