Andover School Wins National Blue Ribbon Award

ANDOVER, MA — An Andover school was among seven in Massachusetts and 350 nationwide named 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.

The other schools in Massachusetts to make the list included: Hopedale Junior Senior High School, John F. Kennedy School in Somerville, Manomet Elementary School in Plymouth, Sturgis Charter Public School in Hyannis, and Tahanto Regional High School in Boylston.

The pandemic presented Andover West Middle School with "a unique opportunity to embark on a path focused on closing the achievement gap and putting more attention on the social and emotional learning of our increasingly diverse student body," according to a district statement. In seven years, the number of economically disadvantaged students and students living in households where English is not the primary language doubled.

During the 2022 school year, Andover West Middle School's low-income students scored at the 93rd percentile, English language learners at the 87th percentile, and Hispanic students at the 89th percentile, according to a district press release.

Andover West Middle School Principal Timothy Corkery said in a statement: “The award is a reflection of our deep commitment as a school community to lifting students up across all demographics to perform at a high academic level. We thank our educators for their unwavering dedication to making Andover West Middle School a more equitable place for all students.”

Superintendent Magda Parvey said the Blue Ribbon Award is "a recognition of the values that make our school district special."

Miguel Cardona, the secretary of education, said the schools are setting an example in education.

“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,” 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.”

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 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.

See related: 7 MA Schools Named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools