Charleroi Elementary Center receives state’s Blue Ribbon honor

Only 13 Pa. schools were selected for the designation this year.

It’s official: Charleroi Elementary Center is one of just 13 schools to receive the newly established Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School designation — and they’ve earned it the hard way.

The award, launched by the state Department of Education after the federal Blue Ribbon program was cut, recognizes schools not just for academic excellence, but for closing achievement gaps and building inclusive, high-performing learning environments.

That’s exactly what’s happening inside Charleroi’s classrooms.

“This sends a powerful message,” said Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich. “Not just to teachers, but to counselors, nurses, bus drivers, reading specialists, cooks — everyone here is committed to our students’ success. This honor is shared by our entire learning community.”

Charleroi’s award-winning progress was powered by its full-scale implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support — an approach that delivers timely academic and behavioral interventions for every student, from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Paired with their ROARS values program — Respect, Ownership, Attitude, Responsibility and Safety — the school has built a climate where attendance is up, discipline problems are down and students are engaged.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, praised the district’s approach.

“The school’s ROARS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program has helped reduce discipline referrals and boost student attendance, fostering a safe and engaging environment for learning,” she said. “Charleroi also implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Supports across all grade levels, ensuring timely academic and behavioral interventions to meet each student’s needs.

“The Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools Program celebrates schools for overall academic achievement and progress in closing learning gaps, while creating welcoming spaces where students can thrive. Well done, you are setting the standard.”

The recognition is a big deal.

The original National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which honored just under 10,000 schools nationwide over 40 years, was ended by the federal government last year.

In response, the Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration and PDE launched the Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools initiative to keep honoring high-performing schools.

“While Washington may have stepped back from the Blue Ribbon program, the Shapiro administration is stepping forward,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “These schools prove that with commitment, creativity and care, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

Dr. Ed Albert, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools, visited Charleroi on Tuesday to deliver his congratulations.

“I’ve been in education for 48 years, and I can tell you — this place is special,” Albert said. “Charleroi is kicking butt and taking names. Everyone, from the superintendent to the cafeteria staff, is working together for kids. It’s like walking into your favorite restaurant and being treated like family.”

Albert recalled his first visit to Charleroi a few years back — when his car was blocked by a flock of wild turkeys. Dr. Zelich came out smiling to help, and what followed was a tour that left a lasting impression.

“I met everyone — custodians, kitchen staff, teachers — and you could tell they all took pride in what they do,” he said. “You don’t win something like this by accident. This takes Sunday nights spent prepping, personal money spent on classroom needs, time sacrificed for student success. A lot of schools do that — but Charleroi is doing it on steroids.”

Out of nearly 2,900 school districts in Pennsylvania, only a handful were named Blue Ribbon Schools this year.

Charleroi will be recognized in December at the 2025 SAS Institute in Hershey.

“After nearly five decades in education, seeing what’s happening in Charleroi gives me hope. These people aren’t just doing the job — they’re leading the way,” Albert said.

Zelich and administrators are planning a celebration for the entire school community. Plans will be announced on district social media pages when they are finalized.

“This is something to celebrate, and we’re going to,” Zelich said. “And we want everyone from our staff to our students to our leaders and our entire community to be part of it.”