Which OC Schools Received Blue Ribbon Rankings This Year?

IRVINE, CA — Six campuses in Orange County were among 33 across the state Tuesday named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The honor recognizes schools based on their overall academic performance or on their progress in closing achievement gaps among students of different backgrounds.

Here's a run-down on the Orange County schools that made the cut:

• Early College High School, Newport Mesa Unified School District, Costa Mesa
• A.G. Cook Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District
• Thomas Paine Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District
• Crean Lutheran High School, Pacific Southwest District School District, Irvine
• Buena Terra Elementary School, Centralia Elementary School District, Buena Park
• Susan B. Anthony Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District, Westminster

"The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. "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."