Two Northeast Queens Schools Win Blue Ribbon Award

Two northeast Queens schools were among six citywide to receive the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education this week.

Bayside’s P.S. 46, located at 64-45 218th St., and Little Neck’s P.S. 221, located at 57-40 Marathon Parkway, were two of three Queens schools to be given the award. Richmond Hill’s P.S. 66 was the third from the borough to receive a Blue Ribbon.

Additionally, Brooklyn’s P.S. 222 and P.S. 247 as well as Manhattan’s P.S. 199 were honored for their academic achievements.

“We officially found out this morning,” P.S. 46 Principal Marsha Goldberg said of her school being given the award. “It was based on our overall academic excellence, progress and improvement. We’re very excited.”

Goldberg said she would travel to Washington D.C. to receive the award and that the school would hold a celebration in the near future.

“The award embodies the efforts of every member of the staff, parents, guardians and families,” she said. “The accolade exemplifies that joining together in excellence is not a slogan. It is our absolute mission to every student every day.”

P.S. 221 Principal Patricia Bullard said students and faculty at her school were also thrilled with the announcement that their school had been honored.

"I am extremely proud of our entire school community for achieving this national distinction," she said. "It’s truly through the hard work of our conscientious students, dedication of our talented staff and support of our parents that we have become a school of excellence. P.S. 221 is truly a special place."

In November, Oakland Gardens’ P.S. 203 was named a Blue Ribbon school. Students from that school put on an elaborate performance for a large crowd of parents and faculty to celebrate winning the award.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said he was proud that six city schools joined the Blue Ribbon ranks.

“I congratulate the principals, students, teachers and parents at these six schools for receiving this honor,” he said. “It is a testament to all of their hard work and dedication to student achievement.”