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Culture, expectations, excellence – these are the hallmarks for Jay M. Robinson Middle School, which has received the 2023 National Blue Ribbon School Award. Honored as an Exemplary High Performing School, it is one of only eight North Carolina schools and 353 schools nationwide to earn the achievement this year.
This is the second such award for the school, which also won in 2016. The staff at Jay M. Robinson has been key to the school’s success by maintaining a keen focus on culture, expectations and excellence, said Michael A. Miliote, principal at South Charlotte Relief High School who led Jay M. Robinson from August 2014 to August 2023.
“We believe that if we hold each other to high standards and nurture a peer culture of high accountability that excellence will be the byproduct,” Miliote said. “Similarly, the staff has developed a mindset that rising tides lift all ships – if we hold students to high academic standards in a nurturing environment, students will produce at high rates of learning, resulting in excellence.
“They embody the idea that kids can,” he said. “This mindset is truly what makes Jay M. Robinson one of a kind – their unwavering beliefs in each other and in what kids can do.”
The Blue Ribbon award is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. It is widely recognized as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. This year’s recipients will be recognized at a Nov. 17 awards presentation in Washington, D.C.
Jay M. Robinson’s current principal Rebecca Thompson said the school reflects and honors a diverse group of students who uplift the entire community.
“Our staff and families work together and push students to exceed their expectations of themselves during such a sensitive time in their development,” Thompson said. “Our community celebrates this achievement but also looks forward to future success for many years to come.”
