Greenacres Elementary Named A National Blue Ribbon School

SCARSDALE, NY — Greenacres Elementary School in Scarsdale has been selected as one of just 353 schools across the nation named as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Blue Ribbon School recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.

Miguel Cardona, the secretary of education, said the schools set a “national example” for what it means to raise the bar in education.

"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," he said.

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.

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.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year for National Blue Ribbon recognition.

Nominated schools must complete an extensive narrative application describing their school
culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional
development, leadership structures and parent and community involvement.

The U.S. Education Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools
award from the top education officials in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the
Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools
are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

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.