Hoboken Schools Are First In NJ To Win National Distinction, 'Blue Ribbon' Group Announces

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken's public school district is the only one in New Jersey to have received a special distinction, the district announced Thursday.

They found out that the national Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE) organization — an independent non-profit that conducts assessments of schools across the country — determined that all five of the schools have "met the criteria to receive the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Award, the highest award given by the BRSE organization," according to a joint release from the district and BRSE.

"This achievement makes the Hoboken Public School District the first in New Jersey to have every school recognized as National Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Schools and to be named a 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse District," both parties noted in the release.

The schools assessed were: Hoboken High School, Hoboken Middle School, Joseph F. Brandt Elementary School, Thomas G. Connors Elementary School, and Wallace Elementary School.

BRSE is a non-profit that helps schools improve. It's not affiliated with the federal government's Blue Ribbon program to recognize schools, but helps the schools meet qualifications.

Dr. Judy Warden Fields, CEO of Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, cited the district and schools "for their courage, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence in ensuring all students receive the education they deserve."

"Every one of the district’s schools exemplified readiness and professionalism during the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence validation process and demonstrated best-practice models during each visit," said the release.

Going To Educators' Conference At Disney

Awards will be presented to Principals Robin Piccapietra, Ryan Sorafine, Charles Bartlett, Martin
Shannon, and Juliana Addi at the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference, set to be held
at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

The presentation will take place during the Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

Additionally, Superintendent Christine Johnson has been invited to speak and conduct a workshop session at the conference, which annually attracts educational leaders from over 40 states.

Designation as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School spans from 2024-2029, after which each of the district’s schools will be eligible for renewal of this recognition.

In Florida, the schools will share their expertise and practices with local and national peers, as well as providing mentorship to schools seeking assistance in school improvement initiatives.

What Is BRSE?

BRSE's national assessment process evaluates schools across the following key performance areas to earn this prestigious award: Student Focus and Support, School Organization and Culture, Challenging Standards and Curriculum, Active Teaching and Learning, Technology Integration, Professional Community, Leadership and Educational Vitality, and School-Family-Community Partnerships.

In addition, all five of the Hoboken Public Schools met indicators of both academic achievement and growth in English Language Arts and Mathematics, using quantitative data points from various local, state, and national assessments. The comprehensive review also included stakeholder surveys and interviews. A Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence representative and former NASSP National Principal of the Year, Jayne Ellspermann, visited classrooms in each school, surveyed stakeholders, and interviewed students, parents, and faculty.

Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE) is a non-profit 501©3 organization that has been
serving schools across the nation since 2001. The BRSE is an assessment process and
surveys provide actionable insights that can be used as the starting point for school improvement.

Public school reopens for students on Thursday, Sept. 5. Find the important dates in the public school calendar here.