1001 Arbor Drive
S. Sioux City, NE 68776
Phone (402) 494-1446

MapQuest Directions to Harney Elementary School

Principal:  Rebecca Eckhardt

Harney Elementary School Named a Blue Ribbon School

     Harney Elementary School in South Sioux City has been named a 2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School.  On Friday, September 22^nd, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced the names of 250 public and private K-12 schools to be recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools for 2006. Harney Elementary is one of four schools in Nebraska to be selected for this recognition. The other schools are Grandview Elementary in Alliance, Mitchell Elementary School in Mitchell and Pinewood Elementary School in Omaha. These schools are being honored for their accomplishments in closing the achievement gap and for their students who achieve at very high levels.
     To be selected for this award, schools must meet one of three criteria: 1) at least 40 percent of their students are from disadvantaged backgrounds and show dramatic improvement of student performance on state tests; 2) the students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests; or 3) they are private schools that achieve in the top 10 percent in the nation. The public schools honored as Blue Ribbon Schools must also meet the Adequate Yearly Progress requirements in reading, writing, and mathematics under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). NCLB sets high expectations for performance for all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, family background, or disability.
     According to school officials, the children at Harney Elementary are experiencing academic success because of the dedication of their knowledgeable, caring staff members and the hard work of students. This school also benefits from the strong support and involvement of parents, community members, and members of the Board of Education. “This is a tremendous honor for Harney Elementary and the South Sioux City Community School District,” stated Ms. Rebecca Eckhardt, Principal. “Without the commitment and dedication of our staff, students and families we would not be able to achieve this success.”
     It is the mission of the South Sioux City Community School District to provide all students with a safe educational environment that recognizes their ability to learn, encourages personal growth, is judged by its outcomes and is a cooperative venture between home, school and community. This school district is committed to providing its students with a quality education. Students are offered a rigorous curriculum and focused interventions to help them succeed academically. In this district teachers continually communicate high expectations and create an effective environment conducive to learning.