Hilltop Elementary Named National Blue Ribbon School For 2023

MENDHAM, NJ — Hilltop Elementary School was among nine schools in New Jersey and about 350 nationwide named Tuesday as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education.

The education department stated in a news release that schools were given the distinction based on overall academic performance or development in bridging achievement disparities between student groups on examinations.

Hilltop Elementary School, located at 12 Hilltop Road in Mendham Borough, is the only Morris County school to make the list.

"Becoming a member of the 40th cohort of the National Blue Ribbon Schools is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Hilltop Elementary School community. This prestigious award affirms the values and mission of our elementary school, which endeavors to create a community filled with lifelong learners who strive for personal growth and academic excellence and act as responsible citizens who contribute to an ever-changing world," Superintendent of Schools Mitzi N. Morillo said.

This is not the first time this year that the Mendham Borough School District has been noticed by the Department of Education, this spring, two of the top 30 best-scoring schools in New Jersey’s school report cards were in Mendham Borough.

"Mountain View Middle School was named the longest-standing New Jersey School to Watch last year, and Hilltop Elementary School has received a New Jersey School of Character redesignation. These are examples of how we balance academic rigor with character development and social-emotional learning, providing the balance children need," Morillo previously told Patch. "It would be naive to think that a ranking could encompass what makes the Mendham Borough schools outstanding. Our work is never done."

The Mendham Borough School District is a public school district that serves roughly 483 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade from Mendham Borough.

Here are the nine Blue Ribbon honorees from New Jersey:

• Luther Lee Emerson School, Demarest SD (Bergen Co.)
• Washington Irving School #4, Garfield Public SD (Bergen Co.)
• J. Fithian Tatem School, Haddonfield SD (Camden Co.)
• Technology High School, Newark Public SD (Essex Co.)
• Princeton Charter School (Mercer Co.)
• Claremont Avenue Elementary School, Woodbridge Township SD (Middlesex Co.)
• High Technology High School, Monmouth County Vocational SD (Monmouth Co.)
• Hilltop School, Mendham Borough SD (Morris Co.)
• Oak Street School, Bernards Township SD (Somerset Co.)

According to the education department, honoree schools share a few traits. Leaders in the school uphold high standards for everyone and communicate their vision of greatness.

The Department added that these schools value and support teachers and staff with professional learning and are efficient and innovative. Students work hard to succeed, and schools use data to guide instruction.

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

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools: These are among the state’s highest performing schools, measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools: These are among the state’s highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

"Being recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School is rewarding and motivating to continue our journey as we build upon excellence. Congratulations to our students, teachers, administrators, parents, and members of the Board of Education; we share this accomplishment with all of you," Morillo said.

With reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff