Last updated 3 weeks ago ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.
Please note that this article describes a program that was canceled in September 2025. We preserve the article as a reference.
Each year, several hundred schools receive this coveted award, highlighting diverse educational success stories throughout the United States.
History and Mission
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established in 1982 by Terrel H. Bell, the second Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan. Secretary Bell, who also commissioned the influential report “A Nation at Risk,” created the award to bring public attention to exemplary schools and facilitate the sharing of successful strategies.
This initiative emerged from concerns about American education quality and has become one of the Department of Education’s longest-standing recognition programs. Initially focusing on secondary schools, it later expanded to include elementary and middle schools.
In 2003, the program was restructured to align with the No Child Left Behind Act, placing greater emphasis on student achievement data from state assessments. In 2012, the name was refined to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to distinguish it from a similarly named for-profit entity.
The program’s core mission is to recognize outstanding public and non-public schools that demonstrate either overall academic excellence or significant progress in closing achievement gaps. By highlighting these success models, the program aims to inspire other schools, provide resources of effective practices, and affirm the dedication of students, educators, families, and communities.
Award Categories
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes excellence through two distinct award categories for public schools, with non-public schools typically recognized under one of these categories.
Exemplary High-Performing Schools
These schools rank among the highest-performing in their state based on student achievement in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics as measured by state assessments.
For non-public schools, this category includes those whose students achieve at the highest levels in the nation (top 15%) in these subjects, demonstrated by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
High schools in this category must also exhibit high graduation rates and may be evaluated on additional measures of college and career readiness.
Eligibility often depends on meeting specific performance thresholds, such as being in the top 15% at the state or national level. States have flexibility in how they rank schools, considering performance in reading/ELA and math separately, combined, or as part of a composite score.
Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools
These schools are recognized for making the greatest progress in closing achievement gaps between student subgroups (such as students from different racial or ethnic groups, students with disabilities, English learners, and economically disadvantaged students) and the overall student population over the past several years.
The primary focus is on demonstrating significant improvement in student performance in English language arts and mathematics, as measured by state assessments.
Public schools in this category must serve a significant percentage of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, often defined as at least 40%.
For non-public schools in this category, student achievement in English language arts and mathematics must be in the top 30% nationally, and they must have a high percentage (at least 30%) of disadvantaged students performing at levels comparable to their peers.
States use various methods to rank schools based on subgroup performance and improvement. For instance, in New Jersey, at least one historically underserved student group must be in the top 15% of the state based on improvement in assessment performance to qualify.
Nomination Process
The journey to becoming a National Blue Ribbon School involves both state and federal levels.
For public schools, the nomination authority rests with the Chief State School Officer (CSSO) in each state, as well as entities such as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).
Non-public schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education determines the number of schools that each state and CAPE can nominate, based on factors like student enrollment and total number of schools within their jurisdiction.
States and CAPE employ their established accountability and assessment systems to identify schools meeting the criteria for either award category.
A significant aspect of the public school nomination process is the requirement that at least one-third of nominated schools in each state must serve a high percentage of students from disadvantaged backgrounds (typically 40% or more).
Once nominated, schools receive an invitation from the U.S. Department of Education to apply for the award. This application details the school’s operations, including:
- Use of assessment data
- Instructional methodologies
- Curriculum
- Professional development activities
- Leadership approaches
- Community and family engagement
Applications undergo thorough review to ensure they meet all criteria for completeness, quality, accuracy, and eligibility.
For public schools, the state CSSO must certify that nominated schools have met all eligibility requirements based on their most recent performance data.
The U.S. Secretary of Education officially announces National Blue Ribbon Schools in September each year. The entire process typically takes approximately one year.
Benefits and Recognition
Being designated as a National Blue Ribbon School brings significant benefits to honored institutions and their communities.
The award carries immense national prestige as the only school recognition program sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education. The Blue Ribbon flag, often proudly displayed by winning schools, has become a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
Each year, representatives from recognized schools are invited to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where they receive a plaque and the Blue Ribbon flag.
Beyond the honor itself, National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective educational practices. The U.S. Department of Education promotes sharing these successful strategies by publishing details of schools’ achievements and applications on the program’s website.
Leaders and educators from Blue Ribbon Schools may be invited to present at educational conferences, providing opportunities to share expertise and network with peers.
The recognition often extends beyond the educational community, bringing tangible benefits:
- New business partnerships
- Increased financial support
- More volunteers
- Increased student applications in areas with school choice
- Pride and inspiration among students, staff, and parents
- Media attention from the Department of Education and local outlets
Examples of Excellence
The “NBRS Schools in the Spotlight” section on the program’s website showcases many exemplary institutions:
- North Lakeland Elementary School demonstrates the effectiveness of outdoor education in boosting student achievement and well-being
- Marine Science Magnet High School highlights benefits of student-driven learning in specialized fields
- Laurel Magnet School of the Arts exemplifies a data-informed approach to differentiated instruction
- Hanover High School’s unique “March Intensive” program provides diverse learning experiences fostering strong student-teacher connections
The NBRS Practices Library offers a broader collection of successful strategies implemented by Blue Ribbon Schools nationwide.
Recent awardees include Garvin Memorial Elementary School and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Rhode Island (recognized for closing achievement gaps), and Sowams Elementary School (for high performance).
The 2023 Blue Ribbon public school awardees in Ohio and eight North Carolina schools represent diverse educational settings achieving this distinction.
Even Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, like Alconbury Elementary School in the UK and Robinson Barracks Elementary School in Germany, have received this recognition.
For those interested in exploring the program’s history, the official website provides a comprehensive database of past winners.
Resources for Parents and Community
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program serves as a valuable resource for parents and community members seeking to identify high-quality educational institutions.
Parents can use the program’s website to search for recognized schools in their state or community through the awardee database.
This designation can be a significant factor for families making school choices, indicating a school with a proven record of high academic achievement or commitment to equitable outcomes.
Parents and community members can explore profiles and applications of Blue Ribbon Schools to gain insights into successful educational strategies. The NBRS Practices Library offers an even deeper dive into school operations and student support.
The Blue Ribbon designation can foster community pride and encourage greater involvement with local schools, potentially leading to increased partnerships and volunteer opportunities.
Conclusion
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program stands as a vital initiative recognizing and promoting excellence in American education. Through rigorous criteria and comprehensive evaluation, the program identifies schools achieving high academic performance or demonstrating remarkable success in closing achievement gaps.
This recognition honors the dedication of students, educators, families, and communities while providing valuable models that can inspire other schools nationwide. The resources available through the program’s website offer extensive information for understanding high-quality schools and their strategies.
As the program continues to highlight exemplary educational institutions, it plays a crucial role in fostering continuous improvement and equity in providing all students with opportunities to reach their full potential.
Award Categories and Criteria
| Category | Key Criteria |
|---|---|
| Public – Exemplary High-Performing | Ranked among state’s highest-performing based on state assessments in reading/ELA and mathematics; High schools also evaluated on graduation rates and college/career readiness measures |
| Public – Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing | Made greatest progress in closing achievement gaps between student subgroups and all students in reading/ELA and mathematics on state assessments over past few years; Must have high percentage (typically ≥40%) of students from disadvantaged backgrounds |
| Non-Public – Exemplary High-Performing | Student achievement in English and mathematics among highest in country (top 15%) on state assessments or nationally normed tests |
Nomination Process
| Stage | Public Schools | Non-Public Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Nominating Authority | Chief State School Officer (CSSO) in each state, DC, PR, DoDEA, BIE | Council for American Private Education (CAPE) |
| Initial Identification | States use accountability/assessment systems to identify eligible schools | CAPE uses its criteria to identify eligible schools |
| Application | Nominated schools invited to apply, requiring comprehensive application | Nominated schools invited to apply, requiring comprehensive application |
| Certification | Nominations must be certified by state CSSO based on most current performance data | CAPE reviews applications and submits nominations to U.S. Department of Education |
| Announcement | Secretary of Education announces awardees in September | Secretary of Education announces awardees in September |
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