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ACADEMICA-Supported Schools Named 2019 National Blue Ribbon Charter Schools

Pinecrest Academy North Campus, Mater Academy East Charter School and Mater Academy East Charter Middle School Earn 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 312 public and 50 private schools as 2019 National Blue Ribbon School recipients.

Eleven of those schools are in Florida, six of which are located in Miami-Dade County. Half of the schools awarded in Miami-Dade County are Academica-supported schools. Pinecrest Academy North Campus, Mater Academy East Charter School and Mater Academy East Charter Middle School are 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Mater Academy East is a two-time National Blue Ribbon School having earned the designation in 2010 as well.

The Blue Ribbon Award honors schools whose students achieve at very high levels, or have made significant academic progress and helped close gaps in achievement – especially among disadvantaged and minority students.

Pinecrest Academy North is ranked the #1 K-8 school in Miami-Dade County. This year marks the school’s ninth year of operation and ninth consecutive “A” grade for the school. Seventh graders scored 100% proficiency on the Civics FSA. Sixth graders scored 100% proficiency in the Math FSA and the Algebra EOC. Pinecrest North was recently designated an AdvancED STEM Certified School. The school is a member of the Pinecrest Academy, Inc. High Performing System of public charter schools.  Pinecrest Academy North is designated a National Blue Ribbon School as an Exemplary High Performing School.

Mater Academy East Charter School is located in Miami’s historic Little Havana neighborhood. The school recently completed its 17th year of operation in 2019, earning an “A” under the State of Florida Accountability Program for the 15th consecutive year. Mater East ranks as one of the highest-performing public elementary schools in Miami-Dade County. Mater East has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, twice. The school received the Blue Ribbon School Award in 2010 as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School. Today, the school is recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School. 

In 2019, Mater Academy East Charter Middle School completed its 14th year of operation, earning an “A” under the State of Florida Accountability Program. Mater East Middle offers students an advanced first-class academic program. The Academy of Finance features a college-preparatory curriculum exposing students to industry standards from an early age. The school is a recipient of the Verizon Foundation Technology Initiative Grant which provides iPads to students for use in class and at home. Mater Academy East Middle is designated a National Blue Ribbon School as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School.

As part of the Mater Academy, Inc. network of high performing public charter schools, Mater Academy East and Mater Academy East Middle School are fully accredited by AdvancED.

The Blue Ribbon Awards recognition ceremony takes place November 14 and 15 in Washington, D.C. In its 37-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on over 9,000 of America’s schools. Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

Mater East Elementary, Mater East Middle, and Pinecrest Academy North are proudly supported by Academica, an education service provider. Academica supports a total of 15 public charter National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Academica is one of the nation’s longest-serving and most successful education service organizations, providing professional services and related support to public charter schools. The Academica network of charter schools revolutionized the traditional K-12 educational path turning it into a dynamic K-16 network which provides students from all backgrounds and socioeconomic groups with access to a free, high-quality education.

Academica is at the forefront of innovation in maximizing and developing human potential and achievement.

We implement evidence-based research, practices, methodologies across the entire educational environment to challenge, engage, and motivate individuals. Academica-supported schools feature immersive college and career preparatory K-16 (kindergarten through college) learning environments. Through Academica Virtual Education (AVE) and Academica International Studies (AIS), we leverage cutting-edge technology to deliver high-quality education across the world. Our global community supports individuals through school, college, career and beyond.