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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools

    Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) program has annually honored America’s most successful public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools. Due to the disbanding of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program the choice of continuing the program is now up to individual states.

     

    In 2025 Pennsylvania recognized its inaugural Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools based on the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools (NBRS) program. Beginning in 2026 Pennsylvania will select schools based on the new Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Selection Criteria. 

    Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon selection criteria

    1. Schools must be in the top 15% for Whole School Improvement
      1. Whole School Improvement is based on the school’s growth score
    2. Schools must show growth for each applicable sub-group
      1. If a school does not have a sufficient sample size according to Future Ready PA Index data, it will still be considered based on the All-student group alone.
    3. Schools that received the award in the past five years cannot be selected.
    4. Schools that are currently in school improvement (CSI, ATSI, TSI) may not be selected.
    5. Schools must meet or exceed the interim target for all applicable sub-groups in regular attendance.
    6. Schools that are required to complete the 95% Assessment Participation Plan may not be selected.
    7. School must be at or above the state average for Least Restrictive Environment.
    8. Schools cannot be flagged for significant disproportionality.
    9. Schools cannot be on the risk assessment list for Title funds.
    10. Schools will be excluded if they have not met determinations or are in any form of corrective action regarding special education.
    11. Schools must not be currently identified as persistently dangerous.
    12. If applicable, schools cannot be in corrective action for career and technical education programs.
    13. Schools have an engaged Student Assistance Program connected to outside agencies.
    14. List of eligible schools will be ranked according to the percentage of free/reduced lunches.

    From the pool of eligible schools, PDE will endeavor to select 10 total schools from all regions of the state and include all school levels.

    In addition to the selection criteria above, one Occupational Career and Technical Center (CTC) will be selected (Note: Comprehensive CTCs will be eligible for selection using the Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon selection criteria above).

    CTC selection criteria:

    1. Schools are in the top 15% for percent of graduates Earning scoring Competent or Advanced on NOCTI/NIMS.
    2. Placement (military, employment, apprenticeship or post-secondary) is another federal indicator. The school must be meeting or exceeding the statewide average.
    3. Concentrators earning a postsecondary / industry credential is a federal indicator. The school must meet or exceed the statewide average.

    Private/Non-Public Schools

    Any Private/Non-Public School interested in being recognized as a Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School will need to complete a Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Application for Private/Non-Public Schools (PDF), which will be reviewed by the Office of School Services and the Division of Planning and Professional Development.  One school will be recognized. Completed applications must be submitted to RA-EDNominations@pa.gov by October 5th, 2026.

    If you have any questions about the Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools program, contact the Division of Planning and Professional Development at: RA-EDNominations@pa.gov.