The National Blue Ribbon School Program has honored and recognized great American public and private elementary, middle, and high schools since 1982. A National Blue Ribbon Schools flag waving overhead has become a trademark of excellence, a symbol of quality recognized by everyone from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities.
National Blue Ribbon Schools are honored each year at a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC. The applications from the award-winning schools are posted on the Department Web site.
The program recognizes schools that meet either of two criteria:
Exemplary High Performing Schools
Schools whose students achieve at very high levels.
Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools
Schools making significant progress in closing achievement gaps among different groups of students.
