Gloria Woods-Weeks grabbed a tissue. She needed a moment to compose herself before walking to the front steps of her school, J.D. Clement Early College High School in Durham, to congratulate her students and staff on their latest award.
She knew how much work her teachers and students had put in to be named one of the best schools in the nation. She also knew what it took for her to get there.
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Years ago, she roamed the school's halls as a college student at North Carolina Central University, when the building was used for college math courses. Now, she walks the halls as principal of the early college high school – one of the nation's best.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education announced that J.D. Clement Early College High School, Union Elementary School in Shallote and 360 other schools across the country are 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools – the nation's top honor. Last year, eight North Carolina schools received the national Blue Ribbon award.
The program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. J.D. Clement and Union Elementary were both chosen for being "exemplary high performing schools."
Woods-Weeks learned the news of her school's selection by email recently. Students found out Thursday and celebrated outside the school Friday morning.
"I read the email and I was like, 'Oh my goodness. We did it. We actually did it,'" Woods-Weeks said. "I was just in shock for a moment. I was totally in shock."
The path to becoming one of the nation's top schools has not been an easy one. For the past year, Woods-Weeks has known her school was a finalist – an honor that required a lot of accountability. She and her staff filled out detailed paperwork, had periodic check-ins and sent school scores and other information.
"They really monitor. You have to be in good standing," Woods-Weeks said.
J.D. Clement was graded an "A" school this year by the state and has routinely exceeded academic growth expectations. The school is also known for its graduation rate, according to Durham Public Schools Superintendent Pascal Mubenga.
"Year after year, 100 percent of [the] students graduate. I am so proud of Early College’s students, teachers, and staff," Mubenga said in a statement.
He credited Woods-Weeks for building a "culture of teamwork, rigor, inclusion, and high expectations." The principal credits her staff, but says their work isn't done.
"This is something that we are going to have to continuously live up to," Woods-Weeks said. "The spotlight really now is going to be on us."
She cried Friday talking about the school, staff and students she loves.
"I just feel like this is where I'm supposed to be," she said. "I get so emotional ... I just want these kids to succeed."
The mission of J.D. Clement Early College is to offer a rigorous curriculum that includes college courses to help students get up to two years of college credits. The school was named in honor Josephine Dobbs Clement, the first black woman on the board of education, the board’s first female chairperson, and a county commissioner.
Union Elementary School in Brunswick County, the only other North Carolina school to receive the National Blue Ribbon award this year, was also graded an "A" school by the state this year and exceeded academic growth expectations.
On Thursday, North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson was visiting Union Elementary School when students and faculty heard the surprise announcement by video from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as they gathered in the school’s gym.
"Schools across the country work hard for the recognition, and this award is a tribute to the hard work and success of Union Elementary," Johnson said in a statement.
Union Elementary Principal Vickie Smith said her school's success "is a direct result of the relationships and collaboration of our students, staff, parents, and the community."
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year for the National Blue Ribbon award. The U.S. Department Education invites nominations from the top education official in all states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education.