COAL GROVE — Students and faculty at Dawson-Bryant Elementary School have received one of the state’s top education awards in being named a “School of Promise” for the 2008-2009 school year.

Awarded by the Ohio Department of Education, the award is given to schools that show a high achievement in reading and mathematics, despite having 40 percent or more of its students coming from low-income backgrounds.

“I feel it is a great honor for our school to receive this award.  It recognizes our efforts to help all students be successful and reach higher levels of achievement,” said Dawson-Bryant Elementary Principal Angie Dillow. “We have an outstanding group of teachers who really focus upon the individual needs of our students to help them improve reading and math scores.”

Dillow added that the school takes advantage of retired teachers who work on a daily basis to provide intervention to students who are having a difficult time in both reading and math.

“The School of Promise Award is a very prestigious award from the Department of Education.  The entire staff works very hard to see that their students are prepared for the next grade level,” said district Superintendent Dennis DeCamp. “The staff also works well together to ensure that they are doing what is best for the students at Dawson- Bryant Elementary. The teachers and students are to be commended for a job well done.”

“As a former district superintendent, principal and teacher, I have worked with students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. I truly believe all students have the potential to succeed and that all students, regardless of their zip code, income, race or disability should receive the highest quality education we can provide. I thank you for your leadership and the commitment of your staff to help all students achieve at high levels,” said Deborah S. Delisle, superintendent of Public Instruction at the Ohio Department of Education.

Dawson-Bryant Elementary was one of only 134 schools throughout the entire state of Ohio recognized for this honor. The school will receive a “School of Promise” banner to hang within its hallways.