17 NJ Schools Named National Blue Ribbon Winners

Seventeen New Jersey schools are among the 342 nationwide to be named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Schools must meet certain eligibility criteria to be nominated for the designation.

The New Jersey schools that made the list are:

• Academy for Allied Health Sciences, Scotch Plains
• Academy I Middle School, Jersey City
• All Saints Catholic Academy, Bayonne
• Berkeley Avenue Elementary School, Westwood
• Briarcliff Middle School, Mountain Lakes
• Cedar Hill Preparatory School, Somerset
• Cheesequake Elementary School, Matawan
• Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft
• Eugene A. Tighe Middle School, Margate City
• Hoboken Catholic Academy, Hoboken
• Littlebrook School, Princeton
• Our Lady of the Lake School, Verona
• Saint Frances Cathedral School, Metuchen
• Sea Girt Elementary School, Sea Girt
• St. Peter Academy, River Edge
• The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, New Providence
• Woodland School, Warren

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a press release. "You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff."

Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized more than 8,500 schools.

On Nov. 6 and 7, DeVos and the Department of Education will celebrate with these honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Image via Patch