U.S. Department of Education Honors 22 New York Schools as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) announced the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. Nineteen New York public and charter schools and three nonpublic schools have achieved this honor and recognition.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “Congratulations to the twenty-two New York State schools named 'National Blue Ribbon Schools' this year. New York is home to many world-class school communities, and we are especially proud of this year's Blue Ribbon honorees. The Board and I commend the teachers, staff, administrators, and particularly the students in each school for their commitment to excellence.”

Commissioner Rosa said, “The National Blue Ribbon School recognition is significant in that it not only recognizes schools for their efforts to foster premier learning environments but also demonstrates that increasing access to high-quality opportunities paves the way for improved learning. These schools, through their work to inspire and empower students, and ignite a love for learning, serve as models for all New York state schools.”

USDOE’s press release follows:

U.S. Department of Education
Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office 400 Maryland Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202

CONTACT:
Press Office, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

22 New York Schools Named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 353 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023, including 22 schools in New York. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments.

The New York schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:

• New York – Amagansett – Amagansett School, Amagansett Union Free School District.
• New York – Bayside – PS 205 Alexander Graham Bell, NYC Geographic District #26 - Queens.
• New York – Briarcliff Manor – Briarcliff Middle School, Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District.
• New York – Bronx – Bronx Charter School for Excellence 2, Bronx Charter School for Excellence.
• New York – Bronxville – Bronxville High School, Bronxville Union Free School District.
• New York – Cold Spring – Haldane High School, Haldane Central School District.
• New York – Flushing – PS 242 LP Stavisky Early Childhood School, NYC Geographic District #25 - Queens.
• New York – Flushing – PS 244 The Active Learning Elementary School (TALES), NYC Geographic District #25 - Queens.
• New York – Forest Hills – The Academy For Excellence Through The Arts, New York City Geographic District #28.
• New York – Jericho – George A. Jackson Elementary School, Jericho Union Free School District.
• New York – Little Neck – PS 221 North Hills Elementary School, New York City Geographic District #26.
• New York – Manlius – Enders Road Elementary School, Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District.
• New York – New Hyde Park – Denton Avenue Elementary School, Herricks Union Free School District.
• New York – New York – PS 281, The River School, NYC Geographic District # 2 - Manhattan.
• New York – New York – PS 9 Sarah Anderson Elementary School, NYC Geographic District # 3 – Manhattan.
• New York – New York – Saint Stephen Of Hungary School, Archdiocese of New York.
• New York – New York – The Epiphany School, Archdiocese of New York.
• New York – New York – Transfiguration School, Archdiocese of New York.
• New York – Pelham – Colonial Elementary School, Pelham Union Free School District.
• New York – Scarsdale – Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale UFSD.
• New York – Staten Island – Naples Street Elementary School, NYC Geographic District #31 - Staten Island.
• New York – Yonkers – Pearls Hawthorne School, Yonkers City School District.

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”

With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background.

While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success.

Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

The Department recognizes all schools 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 student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/.