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. (This category is for public schools only.)
