Two elementary schools in South Jersey receive Blue Ribbon designation from the state.

Two schools in New Jersey have been awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon designation, a recognition highlighting educational excellence in the state. Mansion Avenue School in Audubon, Camden County, and Ventnor Elementary School in Atlantic County earned this designation in recognition of their outstanding academic performance or progress in narrowing achievement gaps among student populations. The New Jersey Department of Education announced this honor on Wednesday.

A total of eleven schools across New Jersey received the Blue Ribbon designation this year, which signifies either consistently high academic achievement or significant improvements in addressing disparities among various student groups. Kevin Dehmer, the New Jersey Education Commissioner, emphasized the importance of this recognition, stating that it reflects the collaborative efforts of educators, students, and communities in promoting academic growth and equitable learning opportunities. The Blue Ribbon Schools serve as a model for educational success within the state.

This new designation comes in the wake of changes implemented during the Trump administration, which disbanded the longstanding National Blue Ribbon Schools program, a distinction celebrated for over four decades. States were encouraged to create their own recognition programs in light of this decision. Earlier this fall, Pennsylvania announced its own Blue Ribbon schools, with 13 schools receiving the honor, three of which were located in the local area.

The selection process for New Jersey’s Blue Ribbon Schools did not require a formal application; rather, public schools were automatically considered based on their performance. Nonpublic schools were nominated through the Council of American Private Education (CAPE). To qualify for the Blue Ribbon designation, schools needed to meet specific criteria, including not having received a National Blue Ribbon award in the previous five years, maintaining a minimum enrollment of 100 students, achieving state standards for standardized test performance, and having no pending civil rights complaints or history of testing irregularities.

Schools recognized as top performers must rank within the top 15% of the state, with each historically underserved student group achieving at least the top 40%. For schools focused on closing achievement gaps, it was necessary for underserved student groups to rank in the top 15% compared to prior years, alongside schoolwide improvements in standardized test performance that meet or exceed state averages.

These recent recognitions are indicative of New Jersey’s commitment to educational excellence and equity, as demonstrated by the achievements of Mansion Avenue and Ventnor Elementary Schools. The schools represent a promising example of the state’s dedication to fostering academic success for all students.