Elementary School In Morris County Earns 'Blue Ribbon' For 2022

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County elementary school is one of less than 300 in the country to be awarded the prestigious national "Blue Ribbon" in 2022.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education released its latest list of National Blue Ribbon Schools, an annual effort that recognizes a school's overall academic performance, or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

There were 297 schools that earned the honor this year, including Center Grove Elementary School in Randolph, which serves 421 students in the township.

This is the first time a Randolph Township school has been recognized and honored.

"Center Grove Elementary fosters a positive and safe learning environment for all students. Social and emotional learning plays an integral role in Center Grove Elementary education and is essential for the education of the whole child," school officials said.

With its 39th cohort, the National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program has awarded approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.

"I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams," Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said.

Based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates, the Department assigns each school to one of two performance categories:

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

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for educators at the state and district levels, as well as other schools across the country. A National Blue Ribbon School flag displayed in a school's entryway or on a flagpole is a well-known symbol of outstanding teaching and learning.

"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 of 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," Cardona said.