Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen recently announced that Garden City has been designated a Gold Medal School District by Expansion Management Magazine in its 14th annual Education Quotient issue. A Gold Medal School District must rank in the top 16 percent of all school districts nationally.

Each year, Expansion Management compares more than 2,800 school districts across the country on how well the district is preparing its students to be part of the workforce after graduation. The special report is mailed to over 45,000 CEOs, vice presidents, directors and other officers of companies who have indicated they are considering expanding into new areas.

The Garden City School District is extremely pleased and proud that its schools have been recognized for their outstanding performance. This award is validation for all the years of hard work that administrators, teachers, support staff and parents have dedicated toward making sure Garden City children have a successful future.

On top of this recognition, at the May 15 board of education meeting, Dr. Feirsen said that the Board of Regents and State Education Department has named Garden City schools a "High Performing/Gap Closing District." Garden City has been so designated because it met all applicable state standards for English language arts and math during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 school years and also made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in English language arts, math, science and the graduation rate during the 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 school years.

Dr. Richard Mills, commissioner of education, congratulated the district and community for leading New York forward to accomplish the dual goals of increasing student achievement while closing the gap in student performance.

This recognition holds great significance as the district has achieved this honor for two consecutive years. Congratulations to administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and students on this prestigious honor.