Blue Ribbon Award

Whitebead School is the proud recipient of the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School Award. This prestigious award honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. We are proud to be among the best of the best!

Award History and Purpose
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established by the US Secretary of Education in 1982 with three goals in mind: 

  1. Identify and recognize outstanding public and private schools across the United States.

  2. Offer a comprehensive framework for key criteria for school effectiveness.

  3. Facilitate the sharing of best practice among schools.

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Over the years, the program has developed a reputation for offering a powerful tool for school improvement in addition to providing recognition. 

Criteria for Selection
Schools eligible for this prestigious award must be recommended for national recognition by their state department of education or sponsoring agency. Nominations are evaluated by a National Review Panel that considers these criteria:

  • Student focus and support

  • School organization and culture

  • Challenging standards and curriculum

  • Active teaching and learning

  • Professional community

  • Leadership and educational vitality

  • School, family, and community partnerships

  • Indicators of success

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The final determination, made by the Secretary of Education, is based on the recommendation of the Panel.

Nature of the Process
A school preparing a Blue Ribbon nomination goes through a demanding self-assessment experience. Over the course of years or months, the entire school community including students, teachers, parents, administrators, business leaders, and other community representatives participate in data collection and reflection that validate success and reveal areas for improvement.

Building Towards the Future
Blue Ribbon Awarded schools do not rest on their laurels. They become part of a growing network of successful educators committed to helping other schools identify their strengths and weaknesses. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program has steadily created a body of experience and expertise that has helped improve schools throughout the country.​

To learn more about this honor, visit the Blue Ribbon Award website.

Blue Ribbon Award logo