Rio Grande Elementary School was recognized at the Ohio School Board Association's Southeast Region Spring Conference, which took place at the Pike County Career Technology Center in Piketon on March 19.

The Ohio Department of Education's High Progress Schools of Honor program recognizes schools that have sustained high achievement and substantial progress while serving a significant number of economically disadvantaged students with circumstances that can make learning difficult.

In November 2018, the Ohio Department of Education named 66 High Progress Schools of Honor. Of those 66, 15 are from Southeast Region. The Southeast Region is comprised of 18 counties representing 84 school districts.

Pictured front row left to right:  John Halkias, OSBA President; Amee Rees, GCS Board Member; Troy Miller, GCS Board Member; Julie Bays, Rio Principal; Miranda Fortner, Rio Teacher; Kelly Mayes, Rio Teacher; Craig Wright, Superintendent; Jeremy Hout, Curriculum Director. Back row (L-R): Nick Owens, State Board of Education District 10; Bethany Simmons, Rio Teacher; Kathy McFarland, OSBA Deputy Chief; Larry Good OSBA Southeast Region President.