- Skip to main content
- About Us
- Contact Us
- FAQs
-  Language Assistance ****    - English
  - español
  - 中文: 繁體版
  - Việt-ngữ
  - 한국어
  - Tagalog
  - Русский 

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education

        - Student Loans
        - Grants
        - Laws
        - Data

# U.S. Department of Education Announces 2023 Blue Ribbon Schools

# U.S. Department of Education Announces 2023 Blue Ribbon Schools

September 19, 2023

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        
The U.S. Department of Education today recognized 353 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. The recognition is  based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing  achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.

“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,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “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. 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,  serving students, and engaging families.”

With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard  work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and  attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the  full diversity of American schools and serve students of every  background.

While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of  American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high  standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and  the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful  professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and  every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work  together toward common goals.

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective  and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a  school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two  performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores  and graduation rates:
- Exemplary High-Performing Schools  are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools  are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership    structures, and parent and community involvement.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The  Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from  the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S.  territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of  Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American  Private Education.

**NOTE TO EDITORS:** Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/.
   -  Tags: Press Releases
          How Do I Find...?    - Student loans, forgiveness
- Higher Education Rulemaking
- College accreditation
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- FAFSA
- 1098, tax forms
- More...
      Information About...    - Elevating Teaching
- Early Learning
- Engage Every Student
- Unlocking Career Success
- Cybersecurity
Search press releasesSearch for:      Find By Month    - February 2024 
- January 2024 
- December 2023 
- November 2023 
- October 2023 
- September 2023 
- August 2023 
- July 2023 
- June 2023 
- May 2023 
- April 2023 
- March 2023 
- All Press Releases
             
*Our mission* is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
- Student Loans
- Repaying Loans
- Defaulted Loans
- Loan Forgiveness
- Loan Servicers
- Grants & Programs
- Apply for Pell Grants
- Grants Forecast
- Apply for a Grant
- Laws & Guidance
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- Civil Rights
- IDEA Website
- Data & Research
- Education Statistics
- Postsecondary Education Data
- ED Data Express
- Nation's Report Card
- What Works Clearinghouse
- Open Data Platform
- COVID Relief Data
- About Us
- Contact Us
- ED Offices
- Jobs
- Press Releases
- FAQs
- Recursos en español
- Budget, Performance
- Privacy Program
- Homeroom Blog
- Notices
- FOIA
- Privacy Policy
- Accessibility
- Security
- Information Quality
- Inspector General
- Whitehouse.gov
- USA.gov
- Benefits.gov
- Regulations.gov