Fort Recovery Middle School – Fort Recovery, OH

story from National Blue Ribbon Schools

Students research bird beak variations in Mrs. Fullenkamp’s class.

Fort Recovery Middle School is nestled within the small, historic town of Fort Recovery in rural West Central Ohio. With a population of 1,800 residents, the community has strong ties to agriculture, manufacturing, and local family-owned businesses. The school district encompasses 61 square miles and serves around 4,300 people. Catering to approximately 200 students in grades 6-8, the school is a hub of learning in this close-knit setting.

Fort Recovery’s diverse culture stems from its origins as a fort town, resulting in a student body with varied backgrounds and heritages. This diversity brings both challenges and enriching opportunities for growth and learning. The school’s culture, known as “The Indian Way,” emphasizes behaviors aligned with a Growth Mindset, the R-Factor (response to events), 20 Square Feet (individual influence), and Above the Line decision-making.

To foster these principles, the school offers unique classes like “Intro to R-Factor” and “R-Factor Leadership.” Student tribes facilitate multi-grade teamwork, while after-school activities and programs incorporate these values. Staff members serve as role models by embodying these beliefs daily.

The community’s essence can be summed up as “Fort, Family, Faith.” This reflects the town’s historical significance, strong family values, and religious devotion. Amidst well-structured curricula, teaching methods, and programs, the true strength of Fort Recovery Middle School lies in its people and the meaningful relationships that create a thriving educational environment.

September 19, 2023 Press Release from the U.S. Department of Education:

The U.S. Department of Education today recognized 353 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023, including 19 schools in Ohio. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments.  

The Ohio schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were: 

  • Akron – Saint Sebastian Parish School, Diocese of Cleveland. 
  • Ashville – Walnut Elementary School, Teays Valley Local Schools. 
  • Berlin Center – Western Reserve Elementary School, Western Reserve Local Schools. 
  • Canal Fulton – Northwest Middle School, Northwest Local School District. 
  • Chesterland – Robert C Lindsey Elementary School, West Geauga Local Schools. 
  • Cincinnati – Saint Mary School, Archdiocese of Cincinnati. 
  • Cincinnati – Walnut Hills High School, Cincinnati Public Schools. 
  • Fort Recovery – Fort Recovery Middle School, Fort Recovery Local Schools. 
  • Granville – Granville Middle School, Granville Exempted Village Schools. 
  • Lakewood – Lakewood Catholic Academy, Diocese of Cleveland. 
  • Loveland – Saint Margaret of York Elementary School, Archdiocese of Cincinnati. 
  • Mount Vernon – East Elementary School, Mount Vernon City. 
  • Parma Heights – Incarnate Word Academy, Diocese of Cleveland. 
  • Rocky River – Kensington Intermediate School, Rocky River City School District. 
  • Solon – Orchard Middle School, Solon City Schools. 
  • Sugarcreek – Ragersville Elementary School, Garaway Local Schools. 
  • Uniontown – Lake Middle/High School, Lake Local School District. 
  • Westlake – Saint Bernadette Elementary School, Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. 
  • Youngstown – Robinwood Lane Elementary School, Boardman Local Schools. 

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”  

With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background.  

While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals. 

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.    

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates: 

  • Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.   
  • Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement. 

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.