What is a Blue Ribbon School?
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private schools for their academic excellence.
Miguel Fernandez, NorthJersey.com
The U.S. Department of Education on Monday recognized 11 New Jersey schools as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools for outstanding academic achievement.
The National Blue Ribbon School Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools for “overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.”
Launched in 1982, the program nominates up to 420 schools each year, and this year 356 received the Blue Ribbon award. The Department of Education bestowed the award on 316 public schools and 40 nonpublic schools.
“Congratulations to our 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools for their commitment to academic excellence,” Governor Phil Murphy tweeted Monday. “Our educators, parents, coaches and administrators work hard every day to help our students learn and grow.”
The 11 New Jersey National Blue Ribbon schools are listed below.
Which schools in New Jersey have received the National Blue Ribbon?
- Basking Ridge – St James School.
- Fort Lee – Fort Lee School No. 3.
- Glen Rock – Alexander Hamilton Elementary School.
- Jersey City-Soaring Heights Charter School.
- Mountainside – Deerfield Elementary School.
- Pine Brook – Hilldale Elementary School.
- Rumson-Forrestdale School.
- Skillman – Montgomery Upper Middle School.
- Wayne – Pioneer Academy.
- Wharton – Catherine A. Dwyer Elementary School.
- Woodbridge – Woodbridge Academy magnet school.
What is a Blue Ribbon School?
The top school officials of each state designate the public “National Blue Ribbon Schools.”
The Ministry of Education has set minimum requirements that certain schools must meet to receive the award.
An example of one of the minimum requirements is that at least one-third of the public schools nominated by each state must have a “high percentage of students from low-income families.” The DOE said each state’s CSSO would define what constitutes a “low-income family status,” but it could include students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals; students with disabilities; students who are English language learners; immigrant students; and/or students receiving services under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Public schools must also meet criteria based on their students’ performance on state tests in reading and math or other measures of student achievement, such as graduation rates or student enrollment trends on state tests.
Schools can be awarded the “Exemplary High-Performance School” or “Exemplary Performance Gap Closing” award.
To receive the National Blue Ribbon award, public schools must have at least 100 students enrolled and assessment data for at least 10 students in each tested grade in the areas of reading and mathematics.
The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) is responsible for nominating nonpublic schools. The DOE recommends that schools wishing to be nominated contact the organization directly.
Schools participating in the program can earn the National Blue Ribbon School designation, which the DOE describes as “a recognized symbol of excellence in teaching and learning.”
Nine schools in New Jersey were named Blue Ribbon Schools in 2023.
