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Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do schools become National Blue Ribbon Schools?
Both public and non-public schools are eligible for nomination for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award. Public schools, including schools in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands are nominated by their Chief State School Officer (CSSO) and the following entities: the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Non-public schools are nominated by the Council of American Private Education (CAPE). Once nominated, schools in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, BIE and DoDEA, are invited to apply. CAPE conducts its own identification and nomination process prior to submitting nominees to the Department.
The U.S. Department of Education determines the number of nominations per state. States and public entities, including DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, BIE, and DoDEA, are allocated a number of National Blue Ribbon School nominations based on total K-12 student enrollment and number of public schools. Allocations range from a minimum of 3 schools to a maximum of 35. CAPE may nominate up to 50 non-public schools.
Eligibility and Performance Award Criteria for National Blue Ribbon Schools Recognition
Application information and Program Timeline
Are there other requirements to becoming a National Blue Ribbon School?
Yes.
The U.S. Department of Education reserves the right to disqualify a school's nomination and/or rescind a school's award if one of these eligibility requirements is later discovered to have not been met or otherwise violated.
Once my school is nominated, what is the process and timeline for learning if we will be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School?
Following the receipt of school nominations from States, the Department invites nominated schools to apply for the award. After schools submit their applications for recognition, they are screened for completeness, quality, accuracy, and eligibility issues. Schools are provided with feedback and provided an opportunity to modify and improve their application before final submission.
Once reviews are completed, public schools must be certified by state CSSOs based on the school's most current performance on state assessments in order to receive the National Blue Ribbon Schools award. Because state assessment results may not be available and announced until late summer, the Department usually announces the new National Blue Ribbon Schools in September of the year after a school's initial nomination. The recognition ceremony takes place in mid-fall. The entire process, from initial nomination to receiving the award, takes about a year.
The timeline for the 2024 Cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools
What are the benefits and responsibilities of being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education?
The National Blue Ribbon School award acknowledges and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for—and attaining—exemplary achievement. For many educators, receiving the award is the realization of a long-held dream. Local and state media eagerly profile recognized schools, helping the school, its district, and community gain additional exposure.
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation, NBRS personnel are often sought out as mentors. Successful applications, posted on the NBRS website, detail key elements of successful schools, from individualized student supports, intentional instruction, collaborative cultures, and targeted curricula. Representatives from schools are honored at an annual awards ceremony held in Washington, DC. Each school receives an engraved plaque and program flag with the official seal signifying its status and the year of its award.
What types of schools can become National Blue Ribbon Schools?
Public and non-profit non-public elementary, middle, and high schools can be awarded National Blue Ribbon status. This includes charter, magnet, choice, and schools with religious affiliations.
Whom can I contact about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program if I wish my school to be considered for nomination?
If you represent a public school and believe your school qualifies for National Blue Ribbon School status, you may contact the NBRS state liaison affiliated with your State Department of Education. While most states do nominate public schools for this prestigious award, a few choose not to participate.
If you represent a non-public school, please contact the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) by email: brs@capenet.org or phone (844) 883-CAPE. Additional information is on CAPE's website.
Does National Blue Ribbon School status expire?
A school's National Blue Ribbon School status does not expire. Once a school receives the award, it remains a National Blue Ribbon School. However, school representatives must always use the year of the award when identifying their school as a National Blue Ribbon School.
For example:
How often can schools receive National Blue Ribbon School recognition?
Schools, both public and non-public, may be nominated for the award only once within a five-year period.
Where can I find the National Blue Ribbon School logo?
The National Blue Ribbon School logo can only be requested by the recognized school.
Where can I order an additional National Blue Ribbon School award flag?
Recognized schools can Contact National Blue Ribbon Schools for information.
Where can I find applications from previously recognized schools?
Successful applications for prior awardee schools are available on the National Blue Ribbon Schools website at https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/history.
Please note that application questions may change from year to year. While reading previous applications can be useful, prior responses may not be the best way to address the current application's questions.
Are there additional resources for learning about National Blue Ribbon Schools?
More questions?
Contact Aba Kumi, Director of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program at Aba.Kumi@ed.gov or (202) 401-1767.