Thirteen schools in Pennsylvania have been recognized as some of the best in the country, receiving the 2024 National Blue Ribbon from the U.S. Department of Education. The prestigious award is given to "exemplary high performing" schools across the nation. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) congratulated the schools on their achievement, which is based on each school’s overall academic performance or the progress made to close the achievement gap among students.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin said, “Pennsylvania’s National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the best and brightest in providing a world-class education to their students, creating exceptional learning opportunities, and closing achievement gaps.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes efforts made by schools to create safe and welcoming spaces where students can master challenging and engaging content. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories: Exemplary High Performing Schools—the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests; and/or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools—those that excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
Department of Education receives applications from schools around the U.S. every year for the honor of being named a Blue Ribbon School. The application details a school’s culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement. After going through all of the applications, a maximum of 420 schools are nominated before the final list is selected.
Links
https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/education-details.aspx?newsid=1495