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The U.S. Department of Education today announced the 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Nineteen New York schools have achieved this honor and recognition by USDOE.

“I’m happy to congratulate the 19 New York schools being honored this year as National Blue Ribbon Schools,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “The administrators and teachers from these schools are helping their students excel and to achieve the Board of Regents’ priority of fostering equity for all our children by closing achievement gaps.”

“The schools being recognized today have achieved a standard of excellence through hard work and dedication that is rightfully being honored,” Interim State Education Commissioner Beth Berlin said. “Through perseverance to provide welcoming environments for all students, these schools show how increasing opportunities opens the door to even greater achievement.”

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USDOE’s press release follows:

U. S. Secretary of Education Announces 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized 362 schools as for 2019. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a to the honorees. “As a National Blue Ribbon School, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning.”

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 37th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 9,000 schools. On November 14 and 15, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with 312 public and 50 non-public school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

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).

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at