Ridgefield School Among Only 6 'Blue Ribbon' Elite Named By State

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Connecticut State Department of Education has named Ridgefield High School a 2026 Connecticut Blue Ribbon School, recognizing the school for high academic performance under the state’s accountability system.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker announced six schools statewide selected for the recognition.

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“Congratulations to these Connecticut schools on being selected for this honor and earning this well-deserved recognition,” Lamont said in a statement. “The success of these schools is an example of why Connecticut’s public schools continue to rank among the best in the nation and why we must continue supporting the educators and school communities working on behalf of our students every day.”

Russell-Tucker said the award recognizes schools that create supportive learning environments and demonstrate strong student outcomes.

According to the state, Ridgefield High School enrolls 1,375 students in grades 9 through 12 and has exceeded the state accountability target every year since the launch of the Next Generation Accountability System in the 2014-15 school year. The school was also designated a School of Distinction in 2024-25.

The state said Ridgefield High School ranked among the top 5 percent of Connecticut high schools for low chronic absenteeism rates. Fewer than 5 percent of students were chronically absent during the 2024-25 school year.

The Connecticut Blue Ribbon Schools Program was created after the federal National Blue Ribbon Schools Program ended in 2025. State education officials said the Connecticut program is intended to recognize schools demonstrating academic success and strong student outcomes.

The six schools selected this year were identified using 2024-25 results from the state’s Next Generation Accountability System.

The state Department of Education plans to hold an awards ceremony for the schools June 9 in West Hartford.