Five Iowa schools were selected by the U.S. Department of Education for a national honors program that recognizes schools with the best student academic achievement and growth.
The National Blue Ribbon program has honored some of the nation’s best schools for more than 40 years. This year, Iowa is home to five nationally recognized schools.
“Educators, families, and students in Iowa’s five 2024 National Blue Ribbon schools represent educational excellence across grade bands, school models, and regions of the state,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow in a news release. “We applaud their leadership in investing in effective practices like evidence-based reading instruction, supporting teachers in doing their best work, and empowering students with multiple pathways to postsecondary success.”
Which Iowa schools are National Blue Ribbon schools for 2024?
The five Iowa schools recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are:
No private schools in Iowa were recognized this year.
Are any of Iowa’s schools repeat National Blue Ribbon winners?
Decorah High School was recognized previously in 2011 as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Schools can only be nominated for the award once every five years. A small number of other Iowa schools have been recognized twice. Cedar Rapids Washington High School is the only school to earn the recognition three times with awards in 1984, 1991 and 2000.
How did Iowa’s schools earn National Blue Ribbon status?
All of the five schools were honored as exemplary high-performing schools based on state assessments or nationally normed tests, according to the Iowa Department of Education.
Each of Iowa’s 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools performed in the top 15% of all Iowa public schools based on factors that included student proficiency, growth, graduation rates and postsecondary readiness.
What is the National Blue Ribbon Schools program?
Schools recognized by the National Blue Ribbon program are considered some of the best schools based on student academic achievement and growth.
To qualify for the program, schools must display high achievement as either an exemplary high-performing school or as an exemplary achievement gap-closing school. Selection is based on assessment scores, student group scores and graduation rate, according to the Iowa Department of Education.
“The National Blue Ribbon designation recognizes these school communities as models of excellence in Iowa and across the nation, providing all students what they need to meet high expectations and realize their incredible potential,” Snow said in the news release.
The U.S. Department of Education takes 420 school nominations each year from state directors of education and top education officials. Schools from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education can apply for the program. Nonpublic schools are submitted by the Council for American Private Education.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.