10 Virginia Schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools

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The United States Department of Education named about 350 schools National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. Ten Virginia schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States Department of Education award program that recognizes exemplary public and non-public schools on a yearly basis. The program has been in existence since 1982. It is called "National Blue Ribbon Schools" because the schools are symbols of high quality.

Characteristics of National Blue Ribbon Schools

The United States Department of Education recognizes all schools in one of two categories, based on student scores and graduation rates.

1. Exemplary high-performing schools: These are among the state’s highest-performing schools, measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
2. Exemplary achievement gap-closing schools: These are among the state’s highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

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National Blue Ribbon Schools in Virginia

Here is the alphabetical list of National Blue Ribbon Schools in Virginia that received the award.

1. Charlottesville Catholic School: Charlottesville, VA
2. Edwin W Chittum Elementary School: Chesapeake, VA
3. Fancy Gap Elementary School: Fancy Gap, VA
4. J.W. Adams Combined School: Pound, VA
5. Kettle Run High School: Nokesville, VA
6. Saint Gregory The Great Catholic School: Virginia Beach, VA
7. Southside Elementary School: Blairs, VA
8. Trinity School At Meadow View: Falls Church, VA
9. Union Hall Elementary School: Chatham, VA
10. Williamsburg Middle School: Arlington, VA

Reaction to the selections

Miguel Cardona, the U.S. Secretary of Education, said all the schools set a “national example” for what it means to raise the bar in education.

Cardona added:

“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.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is in its 40th year. In four decades, the U.S. Department of Education has given out 10,000 awards.