Many private schools in WA have won the Blue Ribbon award, including Northshore Christian Academy in 2019 and The Bear Creek School in 2014. Holy Names Academy has won the award four times since 1984. (Full list here)
According to the participants at the last CAPE meeting, the Blue Ribbon Application takes an average of thirty-nine hours to complete. With that kind of investment, we think it is worth knowing more about the Blue Ribbon’s impact on schools and school communities.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) Program is one of the U.S. Department of Education’s longest-running recognition programs. NBRS recognizes 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. Since its inception in 1982, the program’s goals have been to spotlight the best schools in the United States and share best practices of outstanding schools nationwide. Pre-registration is required if interested in the award. Preregister HERE by October 28, 2024.
The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) may nominate up to 50 non-public schools.
There are two categories:
“Exemplary High Performing” non-public schools have student achievement in English and mathematics among the highest in the country (top 15%), measured by nationally normed tests.
“Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing” non-public schools have student achievement in English and mathematics in the top 30% of the country, measured by nationally normed tests. Schools must also have a high percentage of students (at least 30%) from disadvantaged backgrounds performing at similar levels to their peers.
According to the Blue Ribbon website, “Many National Blue Ribbon Schools find they attract new business partners, financial assistance, and volunteers. If school choice is an option, the number of student applications soar. Less quantifiably, the Award inspires students…”
For more information on how to apply and the benefits of the award, see details on the CAPE website.
