These 5 Massachusetts schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools

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Five Massachusetts schools have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021 by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, officials said Tuesday.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The Massachusetts schools recognized are:

  • Brighton – the Winship Elementary School in the Boston Public School District
  • Northfield – the Northfield Elementary School in the Pioneer Valley Regional School District
  • Sudbury – the Josiah Haynes Elementary School in the Sudbury Public Schools
  • Wellesley – the John D. Hardy Elementary School in the Wellesley Public School District
  • Weston – the Weston Middle School in the Weston Public School District

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said Cardona.

“I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better,” Cardona continued.

Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has given about 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, officials said. Schools are recognized in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student 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 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.

Cardona announced the National Blue Ribbon Schools while visiting an awardee school, the Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School in Palatine, Illinois.

Last year, six Massachusetts schools were recognized.

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