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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2019
For More Information Contact:

JP O'Hare

(518) 474-1201

Press@nysed.gov

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U.S. Department of Education Honors 19 New York Schools as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools

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.”

2019 New York State National Blue Ribbon Schools
School District

Academic Leadership Charter School

Bronx

Achievement First Bushwick Charter

Brooklyn

African Road Elementary School

Vestal CSD

Bethpage Senior High School

Bethpage UFSD

Christian Brothers Academy

The District of Eastern North America (DENA) Syracuse

Cornwall Central High School

Cornwall CSD

Fredonia High School

Fredonia CSD

Glenmont Elementary School

Bethlehem CSD

Hellenic Classical Charter School

Brooklyn

Manhasset Secondary School

Manhasset UFSD

PS 101 School In The Gardens

NYC Geographic District #28—QUEENS

PS 253

NYC Geographic District #21—BROOKLYN

PS 40 Augustus Saint-Gaudens

NYC Geographic District #2—Manhattan

PS 59 Beekman Hill International

NYC Geographic District #2—Manhattan

PS 64 Frederick Law Olmsted

Buffalo City School District

Shoreham-Wading River High School

Shoreham-Wading River CSD

South Bronx Classical Charter II

Bronx

Tioga Senior High School

Tioga CSD

Yorktown High School

Yorktown CSD

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