Yesterday, more than 350 schools across the country were recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. This honor is given to those whose leaders were successful in bolstering academic performance or closing achievement gaps among student groups, according to the Department.
“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”
With its 40th cohort, the Department recognized these 353 schools (313 public and 40 non-public) based on one of two performance categories based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
- Exemplary high-performing schools: These schools are among their state’s highest-performing schools according to their state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary achievement gap-closing schools: These schools successfully closed achievement gaps between their student groups and all students. Those nominated also completed an extensive narrative application highlighting their “school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement,” according to a release from the Department.
More from DA: Quick glance: These are the top 10 topics at school board meetings right now
Most notably, California tops the list overall for producing the most Blue Ribbon Schools in 2023, according to the list, followed closely by Texas which held the number one spot in 2022. Here’s a look at the states that received the most individual Bleu Ribbon Awards this year:
- California: 33
- Texas: 29
- New York: 22
- Illinois: 20
- Ohio: 19
“As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, service students, and engaging families,” said Cardona.
View the full list of 2023’s Blue Ribbon Schools here.
