Dozens of schools across the nation, led by AFSA members, have been awarded Blue Ribbon designation by the U.S. Department of Education.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, started in 1982, recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
"Blue Ribbon Schools are institutions that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in promoting teamwork, collaboration and a holistic approach to education," said AFSA President Leonard Pugliese. "These schools have gone above and beyond to create an environment where students, teachers and administrators work together seamlessly to achieve academic success and personal development."
Every year the U.S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools—schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
"I know firsthand that school leadership and solid teamwork is the compass that guides a learning community toward excellence, ensuring that every student's potential is unlocked and nurtured whether your school wins a Blue Ribbon or not," said Pugliese. "Teamwork in school fosters a collaborative spirit that transforms individual potential into collective excellence, laying the foundation for academic achievement."
Here are a few AFSA-led schools that now fly the Blue Ribbon flag.
Phillip R. Smith Elementary — South Windsor, Connecticut
From left: Principal Michelle Dixon and Associate Principal Christina Brown.
Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 467
Award year: 2023
Type of school: Elementary
PEARLS Hawthorne — Yonkers, New York
From left: Principal Marwan Sayegh, and Assistant Principals Mallory Alger, Tanya Jenkins and George Miles.
Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 782
Award year: 2023
Type of school: Elementary School, Title I School, Choice School
Matapeake Elementary — Queen Anne’s County, Maryland
From left: Reading Specialist Jennifer Osborne, School Counselor Mary Moller, Principal Carrie L. Mitten, Assistant Principal, Sarah White and Math Specialist Kelly Herold.
Nomination category: Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools
Total number of students: 426
Award year: 2023
Type of school: Elementary School
Technology High School — Newark, New Jersey
From left: Department Chairperson Karolina Brzozowski, Vice Principal Soraia Mendes, Principal Edwin Reyes, Vice Principal Nelson Tejada, Department Chairperson Jessica Henderson, and Department Chairperson Kimberly Wiener. Not Pictured is Department Chairperson Griselda Almonte-Delgado.
Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 664
Award year: 2023
Type of School: High School, Title I School, Magnet School
Naples Street Elementary — New York, New York
From left: Principal Deanna Marco and Assistant Principal Lisa Bonello.
Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 302
Award year: 2023
Type of school: Elementary School, Choice School
John Yehall Chin Elementary — San Francisco, California
Bottom row, from left: Jennie Chen, lower grades reading teacher; Stephanie Chen, 3rd grade classroom teacher; Janice Soohoo Lee, 2nd grade classroom teacher; Juliana Jang, 1st grade classroom teacher; Jane Guan, school clerk; Vell Au-Yeung, 3rd grade classroom teacher. Second row, from left: Matthew Young, paraprofessional; Jenny Mac, 1st grade classroom teacher; Kimberly Hwang, 5th grade classroom teacher; Nancy Hong, 2nd grade classroom teacher; Lauren Holden, upper grades reading teacher. Third row, from left: Kathleen Hawkins, music specialist; Allen Lee, principal; Tina Yu Lee, kindergarten classroom teacher. Top row, from left: Jonathan Cheung, 4th and 5th grades classroom teacher; Annie Luu Butch, 4th grade classroom teacher; Sean Wong, physical education specialist; Elizabeth Hsueh, kindergarten classroom teacher.
Nomination category: Exemplary High Performing Schools
Total number of students: 265
Award year: 2023
Type of School: Elementary School, Title I School
