Hoyer Visits 2014 Maryland Blue Ribbon School

WASHINGTON, DC– Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) visited Robert Goddard French Immersion School today to congratulate the school on being selected as a 2014 Maryland Blue Ribbon School. Goddard French Immersion, along with five other Maryland public schools, was selected as a Blue Ribbon honoree last month and will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education to apply to be a National Blue Ribbon School.  During his visit, Congressman Hoyer presented a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol to Principal Nasser Abi.

"I'm incredibly proud that the Fifth District is home to so many excellent schools, including Goddard French Immersion," said Congressman Hoyer. "Today, I was pleased to see firsthand the outstanding results of their unique programs and the dedication of Principal Nasser Abi, teachers, students, and parents. I congratulate them on this wonderful accomplishment. Thanks to schools like Goddard French Immersion, Maryland schools remain the best in the nation."

Robert Goddard French Immersion is the second oldest total immersion school in the United States and the first specialty school in Prince George's County to be recognized as a Maryland Blue Ribbon School. Students obtained overall proficient or advanced scores of 94.4 percent in math and 95 percent in reading, while meeting its Adequate Yearly Progress targets for 12 consecutive years. Many of its 578 students have been awarded qualifications by the French Ministry of Education to certify their proficiency in French and have received top honors in programs such as Final Frontiers, National Science Bowl, the Prince George's County Instrumental Music Assessment, Destination Imagination, and the Russian Olympiada. The school has also been recognized as a strong community partner, donating thousands of dollars to local and national charities.