Juban Parc Elementary Celebrates Designation as National Blue Ribbon School
DENHAM SPRINGS, LA – Parents and school leaders enjoyed a festive environment at Juban Parc Elementary School on Nov. 30 as the school celebrated its designation as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Students and staff paraded through the school’s hallways, carrying banners, shakers, and balloons, and marching to a loud rhythmic beat provided by the Denham Springs High School drum line.
“This is a great day for our school community. It’s an opportunity to celebrate much hard work and accomplishment for our school,” said Juban Parc Elementary Principal Lauren Kennedy.
“Our vision at Juban Parc Elementary is to create a dynamic learning environment focused on the academic, social, and emotional growth of each child,” Kennedy said. “We are very proud to be recognized for our success in creating this environment.”
The Louisiana Department of Education lists Juban Parc Elementary as an “A-rated” school with a 94.7 School Performance Score, according to the state’s 2023 accountability report. At the same time, the state has given the school a Progress Index score of 106, which recognizes the school’s success in closing the achievement among all its students.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Each year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools that demonstrate all students can achieve to high levels.
A total of 313 public schools were honored this year nationwide. Juban Parc Elementary is one of nine schools in Louisiana named as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School.
Livingston Parish School leaders and administrators with Juban Parc Elementary School travelled to Washington D.C. earlier in November to attend a special National Blue Ribbon reception.
Juban Parc Elementary Fifth Grader and Student of the Year Eli Young carries in the school’s plaque for being named a National Blue Ribbon School, while his classmates, left to right, Kharle’ Cyprian, Germine Jones, Haddie Williams, Avery Simmons, Leah Nguyen and Olivia DeBlanc carry the flag that was presented to school leaders during a special reception in Washington, D.C.
Juban Parc Elementary third-graders Aurelia Crowe (front left), London Bridges (front center), Charley Devine (back center) and Brianna Leverette (right) wave blue balloons with their classmates as they parade through the school halls.
Juban Parc Elementary Principal Lauren Kennedy speaks to students, staff and guests during her school’s ceremony to celebrate being named a National Blue Ribbon School.