Five Arizona Schools Receive Blue Ribbon Award

PHOENIX – Schools in Two Valley were named Blue Ribbon winners by the US Department of Education on Tuesday.

Tolleson College High School and Franklin East Elementary School in Mesa were among five Arizona schools to receive the award.

Desert View Academy in Yuma, Jacob C. Fruchthendler Elementary School in Tucson and Mesquite Elementary School in Vail also received the award.

Across the country, only 325 schools have been recognized for their excellence.

In Mesa, Franklin East officials told ABC15 they attributed their success to teachers and students.

“Working as a team is vital to our success because without any of these parts we wouldn’t be where we are today, so we are grateful,” said Franklin East manager Kacy Baxter.

Baxter said the award was special, especially since it was won during the pandemic.

“The thing that was most important to us weren’t really the academics,” she said.

“It was really about people, making those connections, keeping students engaged and being in touch with their families,” Baxter said.

The last time Franklin East won a Blue Ribbon award was in 2011.