It's Official! Wisconsin Now Has 8 National Blue Ribbon Schools

In 1982, the U.S. Department of Education developed the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program to recognize outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.

The U.S. Department of Education says the program's goals are "to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States and to share best practices of outstanding schools across the country."

This week, they announced that 356 schools across America had officially earned 2024 National Blue Ribbon School status and 8 of those schools are in Wisconsin.

The National Blue Ribbon School Program

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

Each nominated school must submit a comprehensive application detailing its culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.

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The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance, and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:

Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

8 Wisconins Schools Named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools

This year, the following eight Wisconsin schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools.

1. Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, School District Of Monroe

2. Amery Middle School, Amery School District

3. Cedar Grove-Belgium Middle School, Cedar Grove-Belgium Area School District

4. Eastside Elementary School, Sun Prairie Area School District

5. Frederic Elementary School, Frederick School District

6. Hales Corners Elementary School, Whitnall School District

7. Horicon Elementary School, Horicon School District

8. North Shore Middle School, Hartland-Lakeside J3 School District

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All National Blue Ribbon Schools, like the fantastic Minnesota schools listed above, can now have an official award flag displayed in its entryway or on a flagpole to show it has been recognized as a school of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.