Delaware schools recognized for strong performance and progress in closing achievement gaps

Christina School District's Albert H. Jones and William B. Keene elementary schools are among a host of U.S. schools named National ESEA Distinguished Schools for the extraordinary success of their students.

Albert H. Jones Elementary School, in the Christina School District, is being recognized as a National ESEA Distinguished School for Exceptional Performance for the academic progress students made during the 2024-2025 school year on statewide assessments. Shevena Cale is the school's principal.

William B. Keene Elementary School, also in the Christina School District, is being recognized as a National ESEA Distinguished School for Closing the Achievement Gap - specifically its contributions to students' academic growth and the progress its students made during the 2024-2025 school year. Mariellene Taraboletti is the school's principal.

The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA), formerly the National Title I Association, has been selecting examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program (formerly the National Title I Distinguished Schools program) since 1996.

"Jones and Keene Elementary Schools exemplify what it looks like when we start with students and stay focused on impactful outcomes," Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said. "As a former Title I principal and someone who has overseen Title I programs at the federal level, I know these results don't happen by chance. They reflect strong instructional leadership, effective use of resources, and a deep commitment to students and families. This recognition honors educators who are doing the daily work that helps students learn and grow."

Marten also observed that Newark Charter School was slated to receive a separate national recognition from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) under its former National Blue Ribbon Schools program. (The program was disbanded by the USDE in August 2025 under its broader dismantling of federal education initiatives.)

"Newark Charter School's performance places it among the top-performing public schools in the nation," Marten said. "These results reflect consistent instructional quality, clear expectations, and shared responsibility among educators, students, and families. It was important to both Governor Meyer and me to recognize outcomes that demonstrate sustained success."

Fifteen Additional Schools Recognized Locally as 2025 Delaware Recognition Schools

Secretary Marten is pleased to commend and recognize 15 additional schools from across the state for their growth and progress in three different categories. State awards are given for Exceptional Student Performance and Growth on the Delaware's grade 3-8 state assessment; Academic Growth and Closing the Achievement Gap between student groups on the grade 3-8 state assessment or SAT in grade 11; or Serving Special Populations, where multilingual learners showed growth toward meeting proficiency on ACCESS tests.

2025 Delaware Recognition School Award Winners for Exceptional Student Performance

• Campus Community Charter School, Campus Community Charter School

• Heidi Green, Principal

• Joseph M. McVey Elementary School, Christina School District

• Asia Ali-Hawkins, Principal

• Robert S. Gallaher Elementary School, Christina School District

• Tara Lynch, Principal

2025 Delaware Recognition School Award Winners for Closing the Achievement Gap

• Fairview Elementary School*, Capital School District

• Melissa White*, Principal

2025 Delaware Recognition School Award Winners for Serving Special Populations

• Charter School of Wilmington, Red Clay Consolidated School District

• Maura Kelly Triebenbacher, Principal

• Heritage Elementary School, Red Clay Consolidated School District

• Adam Domski, Principal

• Lake Forest Central Elementary School, Lake Forest School District

• Kim Marquis, Principal

• Lake Forest South Elementary School, Lake Forest School District

• Sarah Huber, Principal

• Elisabeth R. Maclary Elementary School, Christina School District

• Cheri Goetcheus, Acting Principal

• MOT Charter School, MOT Charter School

• Ned Southworth, Head of School

• Red Clay Early Years Program, Red Clay Consolidated School District

• Cari Phillips, Principal

• Jennie E. Smith Elementary School, Christina School District

• John Lynch, Principal

2025 Delaware Schools of Continued Excellence

• Brookside Elementary School, Christina School District

• Helen Yung, Principal

• Frederick Douglass Elementary School, Seaford School District

• Carol Leveillee, Principal

• Seaford Central Elementary School, Seaford School District

• Chandra Phillips, Principal

*Fairview earned recognition for student performance in the 2024-25 school year as Fairview Elementary under then-Principal Melissa White before it underwent a grade reconfiguration to become Fairview Early Childhood Center for the 2025-26 school year.

"Across Delaware, these schools are showing what is possible when strong teaching, data-informed practice, and student-centered supports come together," Marten said. "Whether through academic growth, closing achievement gaps, or supporting multilingual learners, each of these schools demonstrates our commitment to starting with students and building systems that deliver results."

About the Delaware Department of Education and ESEA/Title I Programs

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) administers federal Title I and ESEA programs to support high-quality education for all students, particularly in schools with higher concentrations of students from low-income families. DDOE provides resources, professional development, and guidance to help schools improve academic achievement, close achievement gaps, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Recognition programs, such as the National ESEA Distinguished Schools and Delaware Recognition Schools, highlight schools that demonstrate student growth and effective educational practices.

Media contact: Alison May, [email protected], 302-735-4006