On Sept. 16, the U.S. Secretary of Education named 297 schools, including 29 schools in the state of California, as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022.

The purpose of the National Blue Ribbon school award is to reinforce the hard work of students, educators, families, and the community in striving for and attaining exemplary achievement. Some of the schools that received the Blue Ribbon included: Foothills Middle School, Arcadia Unified School District, Woodbridge High School, Irvine Unified School District and South Pasadena Middle School, Unified School District. Other schools named can be found here.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The National Blue Ribbon program has recognized 10,000 awards to approximately more than 9,000 schools.

Exemplary high-performing schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

National Ribbon schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag displayed at the school’s entryway or on a flagpole, can be recognized as a symbol of excellence in teaching and learning.

“I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all our children. Blue Ribbon schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”

Alina Martin can be reached at  [email protected].