A National Blue Ribbon School is a distinguished public or private school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for either academic excellence or significant strides in closing achievement gaps. This prestigious award is presented to schools across all levels—elementary, middle, and high school.

Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is one of the Department of Education's longest-standing initiatives, representing the highest accolade a school can earn. Schools are selected based on several key criteria, including student performance on state assessments in reading and math, graduation rates, college and career readiness, and success in closing achievement gaps.

The award serves to inspire students, motivate staff and parents, and promote the sharing of best practices among high-achieving schools.

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