Stamford school is the only Jewish day school in the country to receive award

By Judie Jacobson

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bi-Cultural Day School of Stamford has been selected a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, it was announced Thursday, Sept. 28 by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

In winning the prestigious award, Bi-Cultural becomes one of 342 schools nationwide – only 50 of which are private schools – and one of five schools in the state of Connecticut, to be so honored. The pre-K though grade 8 school has also earned the distinction of being the only Jewish day school in the country to receive the award.

“National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in an online address to honorees. “You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff.”

According to the Department of Education, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Bi-Cultural was recognized for its overall academic excellence which has placed it among the nation’s top-performing schools.

Upon hearing the news, Head of School Jacqueline Herman was thrilled but not surprised.

“This coveted award affirms what we here at Bi-Cultural have long known – that the commitment and expertise of our talented faculty and staff and the dedication and support of our families and communities have worked together to create a safe a nurturing environment in which our students continue to grow intellectually, spiritually and emotionally,” she said.

David Pitkoff, chairman of Bi-Cultural’s Board of Trustees, echoed Mrs. Herman’s sentiment.

The Blue Ribbon designation, he noted, is recognition that Bi-Cultural “is not only one of the finest Jewish day schools in the metropolitan area, but one of the finest schools, both private and public, in the entire United States of America.”

Those responsible for the achievement, he said, include Bi-Cultural’s “incomparable” Head of School Jackie Herman, as well as the school’s team of administrators, associate principals, faculty and staff, “whose commitment, dedication and talent has enabled our school to stand out as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.”

On Nov. 6-7, Mrs. Herman and Associate Principal Rachel Haron will travel to Washington D.C. to join other school honorees at an awards ceremony hosted by Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education.

CAP: On Thursday, Sept. 28, Bi-Cultural administrators gather around in Head of School Jackie Herman’s office to hear U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announce the names of the 2017 Blue Ribbon Schools. Joining Mrs. Herman (far left) are (l to r) Associate Principal for General Studies Rachel Haron, Director of Admissions Denise Rafailov, and the school’s Dean, Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein.