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Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Eighteen New York schools have achieved this honor and recognition by USDOE.

“The schools being recognized today have achieved a standard of excellence through hard work and dedication that is rightfully being honored,” Board of Regents Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown said. “Through perseverance to provide welcoming environments for all students, these schools show that increasing opportunities opens the door to even greater achievement.”

“I’m happy to congratulate the 18 New York schools being honored this year as National Blue Ribbon Schools,” Interim Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said. “The administrators and teachers from these schools help their students to excel and are helping to foster equity for all our children by closing achievement gaps.”

2020 New York State National Blue Ribbon Schools:

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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����������������������������������

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Contact: Press Office

(202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

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Eighteen New York Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon School Honors

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized 18 New York schools as for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said Secretary DeVos. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 38th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.��

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup 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.

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).

The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 12 and 13. While we regret not having the opportunity to celebrate in person, given the current situation regarding COVID-19, we will celebrate the 317 public and 50 non-public school honorees in the ways that we are able, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.

Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at