(CLENDENIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – May 4, 2020) – El Paso ISD today celebrated Clendenin Elementary School’s National Blue Ribbon School designation from the U.S. Department of Education, one of the highest honors any school in the country can receive.
Clendenin is one of three El Paso ISD campuses receiving this coveted Blue-Ribbon designation from the Department of Education this year. Hawkins and Lamar elementary will celebrate their designation at events later this spring.
“Our celebration today acknowledges all the hard work of our teachers, students and staff in closing the achievement gaps,” said principal Martha Martinez. “We’ve been working really hard. We believe in our students and are doing the best for them despite any adversities.”
The entire student body joined with superintendent Diana Sayavedra, Congressman Veronica Escobar and other EPISD leadership to celebrate the school’s distinction.
“The best part of going to Clendenin is everything they offer,” said fifth grader Scarlett Horn. The activities, the education. They give us great instruction and I’m proud of my academics. I know we’ve been working on this for long time. I’m so proud of all of the students and teachers helping to get us where we are now.”
EPISD is home to 17 Ribbon Awards at 13 individual campuses – the most in the region.
The District’s Blue Ribbon schools are: Silva Health Magnet High (2003, 2011 and 2017), Lamar (2015 and 2022), Transmountain Early College High (2014 and 2020), Cielo Vista Elementary (2014), Clendenin Elementary (2022), Coldwell Elementary (2011), Crockett Elementary (1986), Douglass Elementary (2012), Dr. Green Elementary (2017), Hawkins Elementary (2022), Hillside Elementary (2011), Milam Elementary (2020), and the former Schuster Elementary (1988).
“Achieving Blue Ribbon designation is no easy task, and the work that Clendenin students, teachers and administrators have done is to be commended,” Sayavedra said. “To get here, the school showed tremendous growth in student achievement and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to closing the achievement gap among students. Because of their hard work, the school will now be able to fly the coveted U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Flag, which is a clear sign to the community that Clendenin is a high-performing school.”
