Shirley Mann Elementary, Holy Cross High School named National Blue Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has named five Kentucky public schools and two private schools as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence.

The five public schools and their districts are:

• Corbin Middle School (Corbin Independent)
• Cold Hill Elementary School (Laurel County)
• Lone Oak Elementary School (McCracken County)
• Northern Elementary School (Pulaski County)
• Shirley Mann Elementary School (Boone County)

“I congratulate and thank our newest Blue Ribbon Schools for their hard work to ensure every student has the skills they need for a successful future,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. “This award highlights the commitment to excellence that teachers, staff, families and communities have, as well as their dedication to be ‘All In’ for their students.”

In addition to the five Kentucky public schools, two private schools in Kentucky were named:

• Holy Cross District High School, Diocese of Covington
• Saint Albert the Great School, Archdiocese of Louisville

These Kentucky schools are among 356 schools across the country that were recognized this year.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups.

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools program has become a trademark of excellence and a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators throughout the nation.

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

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools: Among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools: Among the state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., later this school year.

More information on the program, and a list of past Kentucky winners, is available on USED’s website .

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