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South Bend’s Swanson Traditional named 2021 National Blue Ribbon School

Gemma DiCarlo / WVPE

South Bend’s Swanson Traditional School was recently named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

It’s the second school in the district to receive the award, which recognizes a school’s overall academic performance or its progress in closing achievement gaps. LaSalle Intermediate Academy was recognized in 2012.

 

At a student assembly Wednesday, Principal Amy Troyer issued a challenge.

 

“I want us to be the first school in South Bend to get this honor twice. And I think we can do it, don’t you?” Troyer said, to cheers and applause.

 

Swanson is one of seven schools statewide that received a Blue Ribbon award this year, and the only recipient in Michiana. The other Indiana recipients were: 

  • Columbus – CSA Lincoln Campus, Bartholomew Consolidated School District.
  • Deputy – Deputy Elementary School, Madison Consolidated Schools.
  • Fishers – Thorpe Creek Elementary School, Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
  • Indianapolis – Grassy Creek Elementary School, MSD Warren Township School District.
  • Lowell – Lake Prairie Elementary School, Tri-Creek School Corporation.
  • Nashville – Van Buren Elementary School, Brown County School Corporation.
  • South Bend – Swanson Traditional School, South Bend Community School Corporation

“We are so proud of the faculty, staff, and students at Swanson, and we are overjoyed that their efforts, as well as Amy Troyer's leadership, have been recognized," South Bend Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings said in a release. "Swanson Traditional has a wonderful, friendly and open culture that is focused on the achievement of all children, and the Blue Ribbon designation validates that." 
 

Up to 420 schools can be nominated for a Blue Ribbon award each year, and 325 were recognized in 2021. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the recipients Tuesday during his Return to School Road Trip.

 

“I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs,” Cardona said in a release. “In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”

 

Contact Gemma atgdicarlo@wvpe.orgor follow her on Twitter at@gemma_dicarlo.

 

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Gemma DiCarlo came to Indiana by way of Athens, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a degree in Journalism and certificates in New Media and Sustainability. She has radio experience from her time as associate producer of Athens News Matters, the flagship public affairs program at WUGA-FM.