North Fulton Today

Fulton Science Academy in Alpharetta recently issued a one-minute video with educators and students explaining why the private school was named a U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) Blue Ribbon School in September.

The video, posted to the academy's Facebook page on Sept. 21, used soundbites from the academy's educators and one-word input from five students who shared the school's core values.

"Congratulations Fulton Science Academy family," Principal Kenan Sener said at the beginning of the video. "Here are some factors behind this national achievement."

Elementary School Principal Corinne Sanchez.

Instructors then provided one-sentence descriptions of those factors.

"Teachers have opportunities for continuous growth and personalized professional learning programs," Elementary School Principal Corinne Sanchez said in her segment.

"Each student receives individualized attention from an educational advocate," Curriculum Coordinator Kaitlyn Black said.

Other factors, which included providing students with a "robust" STEM education and daily social and emotional learning lessons, were presented by Science Department Chair Julianne Oliver, Assistant Middle School Principal Nevruz Turan, Assistant High School Principal Yasin Parlak and Student Services Assistant Principal Crystal Caston.

The Academy's core values of integrity, curiosity, advocacy, resiliency and empathy were presented respectively by eighth grader Katherine Ananthasane, 10th grader Khalil Lindo, seventh grader Blake Crosby, 11th grader Shreeya Thuppul and 12th grader Zeynep Ozdemir.

The brief video was issued shortly after this year's Blue Ribbon list was announced on Sept. 21. The USDOE's Blue Ribbon award is issued in recognition of individual schools' overall academic performances as well as staff commitment to students.

"This year's cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release announcing this year's Blue Ribbon schools.

Cardona specifically mentioned awardee Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School in Palatine, Illinois, which he visited on Sept. 21 during his Return to School Road Trip in September.

"I commend this school and 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 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."

This year's list named 325 Blue Ribbon schools. In addition to Fulton Science Academy, which ranked in the "Exemplary High Performing Schools" category, other Georgia schools on the list were Bleckley County High School, Cochran; Crabapple Lane Elementary School, Peachtree City; Elite Scholars Academy School, Jonesboro; High Shoals Elementary School, Bishop; Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson; Johns Creek Elementary School, Suwanee; Oakhurst Elementary School, Decatur; and Riverview Elementary School, Dawsonville.