Oak Street Named National Blue Ribbon School For 2023

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Oak Street Elementary School was among nine schools in New Jersey and about 350 nationwide named Tuesday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education.

Schools received the designation based on overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments, the education department said in a news release.

"The award is a wonderful recognition for the accomplishments that the staff, families, and students have achieved together. I am very happy for them!" said Bernards Township Superintendent Nick Markarian to Patch.

Oak Street Elementary School, at 70 W Oak St., was the only Somerset County school to make the list.

Here are the nine honorees from New Jersey:

• Luther Lee Emerson School, Demarest SD (Bergen Co.)
• Washington Irving School #4, Garfield Public SD (Bergen Co.)
• J. Fithian Tatem School, Haddonfield SD (Camden Co.)
• Technology High School, Newark Public SD (Essex Co.)
• Princeton Charter School (Mercer Co.)
• Claremont Avenue Elementary School, Woodbridge Township SD (Middlesex Co.)
• High Technology High School, Monmouth County Vocational SD(Monmouth Co.)
• Hilltop School, Mendham Borough SD (Morris Co.)
• Oak Street School, Bernards Township SD (Somerset Co.)

Schools that receive the honor share certain characteristics, the education department said. School leaders share their vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards.

Additionally, the Department said these schools are effective, innovative, and value and support teachers and staff with professional learning. The schools also use data to drive instruction, and students strive for success.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two categories, based on student scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools: These are among the state’s highest performing schools, measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools: These are among the state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

— With reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff

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