Blue Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Department of Education (National) Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools.

All schools are honored 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 subgroups and all students over the past five years.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

Congratulations to the Current Blue Ribbon School Winners

National Awardees – 2024

Major George S. Welch Elementary School
Caesar Rodney School District

Cedar Lane Elementary School
Appoquinimink School District

National Blue Ribbon School Awardees from Delaware (past 2 years)

Contact Information

For additional information regarding Blue Ribbon Schools please email Philip Keefer or call (302) 735-41010.