FALCONER – Paul B.D. Temple Elementary School has recently been recognized as a national Elementary and Secondary Education Act distinguished school.

The distinction comes as a recognition of the students academic performance, and growth, that have been noticed as a result of the school’s use of ESEA federal funds.

The recognition comes from the ESEA Network, with the decision for it being made by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators. Superintendent Stephen Penhollow said the state Department of Education first contacted the school around mid-November to inform them that the NAESPA would be giving recognition to the school. Recognition is given to schools based on one of three separate categories. Category one is for exceptional student performance and academic growth, category two is for closing the achievement gap between student groups, and category three is for excellence in serving special populations of students.

Of these three, Penhollow noted that Temple Elementary is being celebrated for their work in category one for the 2024-2025 academic year.

ESEA funding is the primary source of federal funds that are directed to elementary and secondary education. Specifically, many of these funds come from the Title I-A Program. Funding from this program is authorized for the purpose of educating disadvantaged students. NAESPA initially implemented the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program as a way to highlight the achievements of various schools that received ESEA funding. Not only does this program encourage positive use of this funding, but sets specific goals for areas of improvement for schools to focus on through the use of the three-category system.

Penhollow stated that the school is beginning to take the next proper steps already. One of the things requested by the program since the recognition is a two-minute video that encapsulates the inner workings of the school. Penhollow noted that plans are being put together to coordinate a video, which will show the various ways that academic growth is promoted in the classroom each day. Additional conferences will be occurring throughout the coming weeks, which will provide more specifics on what the video requires, according to Penhollow. Penhollow also noted that the school officials were invited to attend the National ESEA Conference in Denver, CO. This ceremony will begin on Feb. 10, 2026, and is where the NAESPA will officially present the recognition to the school.

“This isn’t a one person, this isn’t a one school recognition. It’s a recognition for all of Falconer Central School district. We have many different people. Many great teachers, counselors, nurses, bus drivers, aides, administrators, board members, that all play a major role in doing what’s right for our kids,” said Penhollow.