Newcomb Academy Earns National Blue Ribbon Award

LONG BEACH, CA — Newcomb K-8 in East Long Beach was awarded National Blue Ribbon Schools status, a US Department of Education honor that recognizes exemplary academic achievement.

The honor is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. It also validates the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in attaining scholastic achievement.

“Congratulations to everyone in the Newcomb community for earning such a high honor,” Newcomb Principal Chris Thompson said in a statement. “At Newcomb, we feel that we make a tremendous, positive difference for so many students, and it’s rewarding to see that feeling validated at the national level. Thank you to everyone who made this extraordinary recognition possible.”

Newcomb was recognized in the Exemplary High-Performing Schools category, which makes it one of California's highest performing schools as measured by assessments or nationally normed tests, according to a US Department of Education statement.

Newcomb is among 297 other schools that were also awarded America's top honor for individual schools by US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Sept. 16.

"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," Cardona said. "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."