13 PA Schools Named National Blue Ribbon Schools For 2023

PENNSYLVANIA — Thirteen schools in Pennsylvania were among 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.

Here are the honorees from Pennsylvania:

• Boyce Middle School, Upper Saint Clair School District (Pittsburgh)
• Central Bucks High School-East, Central Bucks School District (Doylestown)
• David Leech Elementary School, Leechburg Area School District (Leechburg)
• Elizabethtown Area Schools, Elizabethtown Area School District (Elizabethtown)
• Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary (Non-Public), Gwynedd-Mercy (Ambler)
• Hampden Elementary School, Cumberland Valley School District (Mechanicsburg)
• Radio Park Elementary School, State College Area School District (State College)
• Saint Mary Interparochial School (Non-Public), Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Philadelphia)
• Saint Philip Neri School (Non-Public), Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Lafayette Hill)
• Saints Philip and James School (Non-Public), Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Exton)
• Schuylkill Haven Area Elementary Center, Schuylkill Haven Area School District (Schuylkill Haven)
• Wasson Avenue Elementary School, Dubois Area School District (Dubois)
• West Allegheny High School, West Allegheny School District (Imperial)

Miguel Cardona, the secretary of education, said the schools set a “national example” for what it means to raise the bar in education.

“The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally,” Cardona said.

This is the 40th year of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. About 10,000 awards have been handed out to more than 9,700 schools in that time.

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.