TOMPKINSVILLE — A visitor walking into Tompkinsville Elementary almost immediately notices something different about the school. Maybe it's the brightly colored murals and other decorative art found throughout the building or perhaps it is the overall atmosphere of pride in achievement or the air of heightened expectations, but something exciting is definitely going on in the hallways and classrooms.

The school has just been nominated as a top-five, blue-ribbon finalist school in Kentucky. Principal Kirk Biggerstaff was notified by e-mail on Jan. 4 by Terry Holliday, state education commissioner, that his school had been selected as one of only five in the state to be nominated for the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any school in the United States.

“On Jan.12, I received the official invitation from the U.S. Department of Education inviting us to begin the application process. My initial reaction was sheer excitement because I knew firsthand the magnitude of receiving a Blue Ribbon nomination from the Kentucky Commissioner of Education since there are only five chosen each year from over 1,200 public schools in the commonwealth,” Biggerstaff said.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their state or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Tompkinsville Elementary School qualified as a high-performing school (top 10 percent in the state in reading and math), according to a district press release.

Biggerstaff said he is happy his school is receiving state and possibly national recognition.

“In my opinion, I feel that the nomination in itself is such an honor because it recognizes and validates the hard work and determination of our students, staff, parents and entire school community,” he said. “The award would mean that our school has proven itself to be an example of providing a high quality education for all students regardless of socio-economic status since our school includes over 80 percent of students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The award would also mean that our school would receive the recognition of the state and possibly even the nation as a school that is focusing on proficiency and beyond for our students.”

Biggerstaff credits everyone at the school – students, teachers and support personnel – for the success he has seen there.

“In terms of contributing factors, I feel that our school embodies a sense of high expectations for students, teachers and staff. In everything we do, our students are at the heart of our mission to help every child reach his or her highest potential. In addition, our teachers and staff take their job very seriously and take personal responsibility in providing our children with the best education possible,” he said.

Another factor is the concentration of effort everyone puts into the process, he said.

“We also attribute our increased academic achievement to a laser-like focus on a systematic formative assessment process in which student learning is monitored and interventions are put into place to help all students succeed. Collaboration among stakeholders has also been a driving force through the implementation of professional learning communities in which teachers across the district and in school level teams regularly meet to discuss common assessments, analyze student data and plan lessons together. In all things, we work together to help meet the needs of all learners because we truly believe that all children can learn at high levels,” Biggerstaff said.

On Wednesday, assistant principal Stewart Turner explained what he thought were the reasons for the success of the staff and students as he gave a tour of the school.

“We have been working so hard, especially the last five or six years,” he said. “I think it means we've been validated and the hard work has paid off.”

There is no lowering of expectations for any student at TES, according to Turner, even though 90 percent of the school's approximately 400 students are classified as free/reduced lunch.

“Our philosophy is no excuses,” he said.

But at the same time, Turner said he and Biggerstaff take every opportunity to recognize and celebrate successes with students and teachers.

Visitors walk through hallways that have been turned into an underwater aquarium teeming with sea life or a jungle with monkeys and tropical birds thanks to the artwork of an area muralist. Every student's photo is on the wall along the main hallway. Every staff member's photo and positive comments are displayed in the “positive post office” by Turner's office. Everyone seems invested in making the most of everything for the students.

If TES is awarded this prestigious honor, it will be the second school in Monroe County in as many years to be recognized as one of the top in the nation. If successful in their application, they will join Gamaliel Elementary, the 2011 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award-winning school.

An interesting note is that it is Biggerstaff's wife, Christie, who is principal there.

“My wife is a wonderful leader of an extremely successful school at Gamaliel. Specifically, Christie and I have always supported each other 110 percent as respective principals in our school district. In fact, I had the opportunity to travel with GES to Washington when they received their Blue Ribbon Award, and I could (not) have been more proud for them. I know she too will be proud of TES and will be right by my side when our school hopefully gets that same opportunity in November,” Kirk Biggerstaff said.

All three elementary schools in Monroe County have achieved at high levels of academic excellence as evidenced in their top five ranking in academic achievement for district elementary schools in the state of Kentucky for three years in a row.

“The administration and teachers among all elementary schools work together as a collaborative team to provide a top-notch education for all elementary students in Monroe County,” he said.

Emily Thompson, a second-grade teacher, said taking the time and paying attention to each student's needs helps their performance at Tompkinsville Elementary.

“We focus on individualized student accomplishments and recognize where we need to improve,” she said.

The sense of teamwork everyone in the building shares has paid off, according to Turner. At one point, he and other volunteers painted the hallways throughout the school. When the teachers saw what they had done, they painted their rooms and added inspirational sayings to walls and doors.

“We know that the things we've been doing are good and now to be recognized for it is even more exciting,” said fifth-grade teacher Kari Langford.

And the support staff members notice how much time the teachers put into their jobs to help the students achieve.

“We have good teachers. They work hard. I could never do what they do. They come over here and stay late ... I just think sometimes teachers don't get the credit they deserve,” said Kerra Geralds, receptionist.