BREAKING: New Jersey has just announced the recipients of its newly established Blue Ribbon Schools Award, recognizing 11 schools statewide. This initiative comes in response to the end of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program by the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Education in August 2023, after a remarkable 43 years of honoring academic excellence.
The state’s Department of Education has stepped in to honor these schools that were selected before the national program’s abrupt cancellation. Among the winners are nine public schools and two private schools across various counties, including Bergen and Hudson. The announcement was made during a recent state Board of Education meeting, highlighting the commitment to maintaining educational standards despite federal changes.
The selected schools span several counties: Bergen, Hudson, Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth. The honored schools include:
– Audubon — Mansion Avenue School
– East Brunswick — Hatikvah International Academy Charter School
– Englewood — The Elisabeth Morrow School (private)
– Glen Ridge — Ridgewood Avenue School
– Holmdel — Indian Hill School
– Jersey City — Liberty High School
– Jersey City — Our Lady of Czestochowa School (private)
– Lodi — Roosevelt School
– Princeton — Littlebrook School
– Teterboro — Bergen County Technical High School
– Ventnor — Ventnor Elementary School
Kevin Dehmer, the state’s education commissioner, emphasized the importance of community collaboration, stating, “New Jersey’s 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate what is possible when educators, students, and communities work together to support academic growth and opportunity for all learners.”
The selection criteria appear to align closely with the former National Blue Ribbon Schools program, focusing on high standards of leadership, effective teaching methods, and significant academic achievements. “The Blue Ribbon distinction honors schools that stand out — whether through consistently high achievement or by making remarkable strides in closing opportunity gaps. We are proud to continue recognizing schools that strengthen how they serve all students and set a standard for success across our state,” Dehmer added.
This year marks a notable shift as New Jersey previously celebrated 11 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools in 2024, an increase from nine in 2023. The state’s proactive approach to educational excellence highlights its commitment to nurturing environments where students can thrive, even amidst changes at the federal level.
As New Jersey embraces this new chapter in educational recognition, the spotlight remains on these 11 distinguished schools to see how they will continue to innovate and inspire. The educational community and parents are urged to rally around these institutions, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in achieving academic success.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow the impact of this new recognition program and its implications for New Jersey’s educational landscape.
