2 Bergen County Schools Among The Only 11 In NJ To Be Named 'Blue Ribbon'

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Schools across the country that provide an excellent education, all while "closing the achievement gaps" among students from different backgrounds, are given "Blue Ribbon" status by the federal government each year.

This year, only 11 individual schools in New Jersey, out of around 2,500 in the Garden State, were awarded the distinction. The schools were announced on Monday afternoon, Sept. 23.

Among them, two were chosen from Bergen County.

They were Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in Glen Rock and No. 3 in Fort Lee.

Public, private, magnet, and charter schools are all considered.

RELATED: One Hudson County School Chosen For 'Blue Ribbon' Status

The U.S. Department of Education said Monday, "This recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. These schools demonstrate what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives."

356 schools were chosen across the country this year.

"The 2024 cohort are in 45 States, the District of Columbia, and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in England, Germany, and at West Point," the Department of Education said. "They represent (316) public and (40) non-public schools. Of the 356 schools, (14) schools were recognized in both the Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools categories."

The 2 Selected Schools

Fort Lee School No. 3, located in the Coytesville section of Fort Lee, described itself as "a progressive school community in Northern New Jersey. Fort Lee School No. 3 is a past National Blue Ribbon recipient of 2010. We serve adiverse school community with approximately 352 students in attendance. School No. 3 provides challenging instruction for each student, and addresses all students' intellectual, social, and emotional needs. We prepare students with the tools that will make them global citizens and critical thinkers in our school community. Our 17:1 student-to-staff ratio is a positive contributor to learning within our school culture."

Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in Glen Rock said that it "stands out for its community-driven and inclusiveenvironment where every child is given the opportunity to develop and thrive. Central to our school's mission is the belief that all children possess unique gifts and talents. It is our goal to support student academic, social, emotional, and physical growth and well-being through balanced and responsive methods. Our talented teaching staff implement an engaging curriculum and comprehensive strategies that promote the holistic development of every student in kindergarten through Grade 5."

The New Jersey Department of Education may nominate up to only nine public schools annually from the roughly 2,500 schools across approximately 685 districts in the state.

Kristin Gomez, Hamilton Elementary School Principal, expressed her immense pride in sharing this prestigious recognition with the entire community.

Read more about Hamilton in a separate story here.

See the list of schools chosen for this year here.

Read more about the program here.