At Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School, fifth grade students know they are ready for middle school – and they proudly demonstrate their readiness by presenting a ‘defense of learning’ to educators, in which they share learning artifacts and reflecting on their academic and personal growth as elementary students, now ready for the next stage of Read More

At Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School, fifth grade students know they are ready for middle school – and they proudly demonstrate their readiness by presenting a ‘defense of learning’ to educators, in which they share learning artifacts and reflecting on their academic and personal growth as elementary students, now ready for the next stage of <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/video-backpack-of-success-skills-ready-for-middle-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Backpack of Success Skills: Ready for Middle School

In this video, hear how AcadeMir Charter School Middle provides opportunities for students to learn both in and outside of the school day. Students take four elective classes in addition to their four core classes. According to one teacher, electives are important because they are a fun way to incorporate instruction from core classes in Read More

In this video, hear how AcadeMir Charter School Middle provides opportunities for students to learn both in and outside of the school day. Students take four elective classes in addition to their four core classes. According to one teacher, electives are important because they are a fun way to incorporate instruction from core classes in <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/video-student-engagement-and-opportunities-to-learn/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Student Engagement and Opportunities to Learn

Students at Henry Ford Early College have a unique opportunity to explore health care career pathways and earn significant college credits while still in high school. As one student remarks, “when I graduate here, I’ll have my associate degree, and I’ll have all of these transferrable credits… when you come here, you’re really going to Read More

Students at Henry Ford Early College have a unique opportunity to explore health care career pathways and earn significant college credits while still in high school. As one student remarks, “when I graduate here, I’ll have my associate degree, and I’ll have all of these transferrable credits… when you come here, you’re really going to <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/video-accelerating-student-pathways-through-an-early-college-partnership/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Video: Accelerating Student Pathways Through an Early College Partnership

At Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg, North Carolina, three- and four-year-old students attend a full-day kindergarten program rich in learning through play, movement, and hands-on academic activities. Family engagement is also a Meeting Street hallmark, with the school offering a wide variety of opportunities for parents, students, and school staff to build relationships and learn Read More

At Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg, North Carolina, three- and four-year-old students attend a full-day kindergarten program rich in learning through play, movement, and hands-on academic activities. Family engagement is also a Meeting Street hallmark, with the school offering a wide variety of opportunities for parents, students, and school staff to build relationships and learn <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/video-success-through-early-learning-and-family-engagement/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Success Through Early Learning and Family Engagement

At Saint Andrew Catholic School, parents, teachers and community partners come together to offer students several ways to start thinking about their economic futures. The school hosts an on-campus bank, invites parents in to teach financial and career planning classes, and teachers run a stock market club to introduce students to investing. Principal Robert Sikora Read More

At Saint Andrew Catholic School, parents, teachers and community partners come together to offer students several ways to start thinking about their economic futures. The school hosts an on-campus bank, invites parents in to teach financial and career planning classes, and teachers run a stock market club to introduce students to investing. Principal Robert Sikora <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/audio-financial-literacy-programs-at-saint-andrew-catholic-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Audio: Financial Literacy Programs at Saint Andrew Catholic School

Think of your favorite teacher in elementary school – and now imagine how great it would have been to have that teacher for three years instead of just one. That’s what happens at Portland Elementary School in Portland, Arkansas, where upper elementary students loop with their core academic teachers for three years. And since those Read More

Think of your favorite teacher in elementary school – and now imagine how great it would have been to have that teacher for three years instead of just one. That’s what happens at Portland Elementary School in Portland, Arkansas, where upper elementary students loop with their core academic teachers for three years. And since those <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/audio-grade-looping-at-a-rural-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Grade Looping at a Rural Elementary School

John Hancock

This audio profile shares how at John Hancock College Preparatory High School, educators engage students in rigorous academics and provide strong social-emotional support with the aim of helping them prepare for life after high school. This includes offering two Career and Technical Education options: pre-law, and pre-engineering. The programs give students a taste of what Read More

This audio profile shares how at John Hancock College Preparatory High School, educators engage students in rigorous academics and provide strong social-emotional support with the aim of helping them prepare for life after high school. This includes offering two Career and Technical Education options: pre-law, and pre-engineering. The programs give students a taste of what <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/audio-john-hancock-college-preparatory-high-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Audio:  John Hancock College Preparatory High School

In this video profile, Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School educators, students, and partners explain how the school has implemented a robust news literacy program, designed to help students learn to thoughtfully examine the many sources of information around them. As one educator puts it, this program “is the way in which [students are] Read More

In this video profile, Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School educators, students, and partners explain how the school has implemented a robust news literacy program, designed to help students learn to thoughtfully examine the many sources of information around them. As one educator puts it, this program “is the way in which [students are] <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/video-educating-for-democracy-helping-students-understand-the-news/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Video: Educating for Democracy: Helping Students Understand the News

Oyster-Adams Bilingual School teaches students in grades PK-8 through a school-wide dual language model, providing classes in all subjects (as well as student activities, interventions, and parent engagement) through a mix of English and Spanish. Additionally, students have the opportunity to learn Mandarin beginning in 4th grade. A key element of the school’s success is Read More

Oyster-Adams Bilingual School teaches students in grades PK-8 through a school-wide dual language model, providing classes in all subjects (as well as student activities, interventions, and parent engagement) through a mix of English and Spanish. Additionally, students have the opportunity to learn Mandarin beginning in 4th grade. A key element of the school’s success is <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/video-bilingual-education-in-the-nations-capital/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Video: Bilingual Education in the Nation’s Capital

At George Hersey Robertson Elementary School, educators and school leaders have worked hard to achieve a balance of consistent instructional practices and flexibility, allowing opportunities for teacher creativity and student choice. As one educator notes, “our writing kind of went from prescriptive one size fits all … and kind of teacher centered … and then Read More

At George Hersey Robertson Elementary School, educators and school leaders have worked hard to achieve a balance of consistent instructional practices and flexibility, allowing opportunities for teacher creativity and student choice. As one educator notes, “our writing kind of went from prescriptive one size fits all … and kind of teacher centered … and then <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/video-george-hersey-robertson-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Video:  George Hersey Robertson School

Founded in 1982 by U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel Bell, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors exemplary public and private American schools. Each year, elementary, middle, and high schools across the country are recognized for the exemplary academic performance of their students or for making significant improvements in their students’ levels of academic performance.

A great way to nationally recognize high achieving schools. Their website showcases many other videos and podcasts for award winning schools

Great program

National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Program - Podcasts

Students recite the mission statement each morning during student-led morning announcements. Faculty and staff are hired based on their commitment to this mission and seek to work at Coachman Elementary because of the educational power of this shared vision. Parents choose Alice Coachman for its strong academic climate, emphasis on skills development, and its caring Read More

Students recite the mission statement each morning during student-led morning announcements. Faculty and staff are hired based on their commitment to this mission and seek to work at Coachman Elementary because of the educational power of this shared vision. Parents choose Alice Coachman for its strong academic climate, emphasis on skills development, and its caring <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/aspects-of-school-culture-alice-coachman-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Aspects of School Culture: Alice Coachman Elementary School

With experience as a successful administrator and knowledge of the research, Principal Victor has strong opinions about what makes a school good for teaching and learning. Faculty members understand and support her vision, generating very low turnover rates over the years. Principal Victor’s distributed leadership model gives teachers numerous opportunities to contribute to discussions of Read More

With experience as a successful administrator and knowledge of the research, Principal Victor has strong opinions about what makes a school good for teaching and learning. Faculty members understand and support her vision, generating very low turnover rates over the years. Principal Victor’s distributed leadership model gives teachers numerous opportunities to contribute to discussions of <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/distributed-leadership-alice-coachman-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Distributed Leadership: Alice Coachman Elementary School

A comprehensive Bilingual/ ESL Program of instruction in Spanish, using the same curriculum used in classes taught in English, removes language and achievement barriers for non-native English speaking students. Spanish-speaking students in lower grades receive most of their instruction in Spanish, transitioning to English over time. The number of teachers highly proficient in English and Read More

A comprehensive Bilingual/ ESL Program of instruction in Spanish, using the same curriculum used in classes taught in English, removes language and achievement barriers for non-native English speaking students. Spanish-speaking students in lower grades receive most of their instruction in Spanish, transitioning to English over time. The number of teachers highly proficient in English and <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/from-hoy-dia-to-today-supporting-bilingual-education-students-jfk-magnet-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

From "Hoy Dia" to "Today": Supporting Bilingual Education Students: JFK Magnet Elementary School

Teachers at Paramount School of Excellence (now called Paramount Brookside) in Indianapolis, Indiana enrich their lessons using a variety of on-site school features, including a planetarium, farm, and beehives. These unique features help students learn from the world around them. However, the key focus for educators at this K-8 charter school is on providing high-quality Read More

Teachers at Paramount School of Excellence (now called Paramount Brookside) in Indianapolis, Indiana enrich their lessons using a variety of on-site school features, including a planetarium, farm, and beehives. These unique features help students learn from the world around them. However, the key focus for educators at this K-8 charter school is on providing high-quality <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/learning-from-the-world-around-them/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Learning from the World Around Them

During the 2019 recognition ceremony, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Frank Brogan, congratulated the 362 NBRS award winners. The winners represented schools from 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Schools in Alabama, Netherlands, and Italy. Mr. Brogan talked about school issues not happening in a vacuum. National Read More

During the 2019 recognition ceremony, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Frank Brogan, congratulated the 362 NBRS award winners. The winners represented schools from 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Schools in Alabama, Netherlands, and Italy. Mr. Brogan talked about school issues not happening in a vacuum. National <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/2019-national-blue-ribbon-schools-ceremony-keynote-speaker-frank-brogan-congratulations-speech/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools Ceremony Frank Brogan Congratulations Speech

Students recognize that personal attention is what makes O’Bryant unique. Teachers at this Boston school make themselves available well before and after school to support students in mastering O’Bryant’s challenging STEM curriculum. Read the transcript of “More than a Number”: The Power of Relationships.  Download the John D. O’Bryant High School of Mathematics and Science Blue Ribbon Read More

Students recognize that personal attention is what makes O’Bryant unique. Teachers at this Boston school make themselves available well before and after school to support students in mastering O’Bryant’s challenging STEM curriculum. Read the transcript of “More than a Number”: The Power of Relationships.  Download the John D. O’Bryant High School of Mathematics and Science Blue Ribbon <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/more-than-a-number-the-power-of-relationships-john-d-obryant-high-school-of-mathematics-and-science/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

More Than a Number: The Power Of Relationships: O'Bryant High School of Math and Science

Principal Quigley promotes an egalitarian approach at Hopewell and has transformed the role of teacher aides or assistants into powerful teaching collaborators. Read the transcript of Empowering Staff. Return to the general introduction to Hopewell Elementary School. Contact Information Hopewell Elementary School 16 Monroe Street Taunton, MA 02780-6805 (508) 821-1240 FAX (508) 821-1356 https://www.tauntonschools.org/hopewell-school Student Demographics 2009-2010 Read More

Principal Quigley promotes an egalitarian approach at Hopewell and has transformed the role of teacher aides or assistants into powerful teaching collaborators. Read the transcript of Empowering Staff. Return to the general introduction to Hopewell Elementary School. Contact Information Hopewell Elementary School 16 Monroe Street Taunton, MA 02780-6805 (508) 821-1240 FAX (508) 821-1356 <a href="https://www.tauntonschools.org/hopewell-school" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.tauntonschools.org/hopewell-school</a> Student Demographics 2009-2010 <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/empowering-staff-hopewell-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Empowering Staff: Hopewell Elementary School

In New Orleans, Louisiana, Lusher Charter School serves students in grades K-12 by integrating the arts across all grade levels and disciplines. As the school’s CEO puts it, “Lusher is a school where a student can come and thrive regardless of the level of their talents. We’ll use the arts when we’re happy, when we’re Read More

In New Orleans, Louisiana, Lusher Charter School serves students in grades K-12 by integrating the arts across all grade levels and disciplines. As the school’s CEO puts it, “Lusher is a school where a student can come and thrive regardless of the level of their talents. We’ll use the arts when we’re happy, when we’re <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/building-culture-and-enriching-learning-through-art/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Building Culture and Enriching Learning through Art

Turning around a low-performing school is no easy task – and sustaining that turnaround over the years to come can be just as challenging. In this video, teachers and school leaders from Evergreen Elementary School in Spanaway, Washington explain how the implementation of a “No Excuses” model helped them improve and sustain their success over Read More

Turning around a low-performing school is no easy task – and sustaining that turnaround over the years to come can be just as challenging. In this video, teachers and school leaders from Evergreen Elementary School in Spanaway, Washington explain how the implementation of a “No Excuses” model helped them improve and sustain their success over <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/no-excuses-sustaining-success-at-a-former-turnaround-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

No Excuses: Sustaining Success at a Former Turnaround School

Village Oaks Elementary School Novi, Michigan Building School Culture by Leading with HEART. One of the most challenging tasks for any new principal is creating school culture, particularly when a strong culture already exists. This podcast walks you through the process Principal Alexander Ofili used at Village Oaks Elementary School in Novi, MI, to do Read More

Village Oaks Elementary School Novi, Michigan Building School Culture by Leading with HEART. One of the most challenging tasks for any new principal is creating school culture, particularly when a strong culture already exists. This podcast walks you through the process Principal Alexander Ofili used at Village Oaks Elementary School in Novi, MI, to do <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/audio-building-school-culture-by-leading-with-heart/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Audio: Building School Culture by Leading with HEART

Mount Lebanon Elementary School Pendleton, SC Learning Through Real World Application highlights how one school expanded on a STEM theme to create a teaching and learning culture matched to the way young students learn. When each of the four K-6th grade elementary schools in Anderson County School District 4 were tasked with creating a unique Read More

Mount Lebanon Elementary School Pendleton, SC Learning Through Real World Application highlights how one school expanded on a STEM theme to create a teaching and learning culture matched to the way young students learn. When each of the four K-6th grade elementary schools in Anderson County School District 4 were tasked with creating a unique <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/audio-learning-through-real-world-application/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Audio: Learning Through Real World Application

Eric Caldwell

Alaska liaison Eric Caldwell describes how the state’s nomination process ensures representation across a unique low population, large, rural state. Eric Caldwell Interview Transcript For more information on becoming a National Blue Ribbon School, please visit the FAQ page, which details the nomination process and criteria for both public and non-public schools. Contact your state liaison.

Alaska liaison Eric Caldwell describes how the state’s nomination process ensures representation across a unique low population, large, rural state.

Sierra Expeditionary Learning School Truckee, CA In 2008, in a small town in northern California, a dozen or so parents of preschoolers started dreaming about a different kind of elementary school and chartered SELS—the Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, in Truckee, California in March 2010. This podcast features Kim Bradley, a founding parent and current board Read More

Sierra Expeditionary Learning School Truckee, CA In 2008, in a small town in northern California, a dozen or so parents of preschoolers started dreaming about a different kind of elementary school and chartered SELS—the Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, in Truckee, California in March 2010. This podcast features Kim Bradley, a founding parent and current board <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/audio-an-expeditionary-learning-school-takes-off-in-californias-mountains/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Audio: An Expeditionary Learning School Takes Off in California’s Mountains

Jason Botel

Acting Assistant Secretary, Jason Botel Welcomes 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools During the 2017 awards ceremony, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Jason Botel was a keynote speaker. Mr. Botel identified the NBRS awardees as the nation’s education “all stars” and acknowledged their innovation, inspiration, and commitment. He Read More

Acting Assistant Secretary, Jason Botel Welcomes 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools During the 2017 awards ceremony, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Jason Botel was a keynote speaker. Mr. Botel identified the NBRS awardees as the nation’s education “all stars” and acknowledged their innovation, inspiration, and commitment. He <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/jason-botel-opening-ceremony-speech/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Acting Assistant Secretary, Jason Botel Welcomes 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Caldwell Early College High School Caldwell County Schools Hudson, NC A partnership between Caldwell County Schools and Caldwell Community College &amp; Technical Institute (CCC&amp;TI) created Caldwell Early College High School (CECHS)  in 2006 with an emphasis on creating opportunities  The school’s five-year program is located on the CCC&amp;TI campus and emphasizes creating opportunities for first-generation college students Read More

Caldwell Early College High School Caldwell County Schools Hudson, NC A partnership between Caldwell County Schools and Caldwell Community College &amp; Technical Institute (CCC&amp;TI) created Caldwell Early College High School (CECHS)  in 2006 with an emphasis on creating opportunities  The school’s five-year program is located on the CCC&amp;TI campus and emphasizes creating opportunities for first-generation college students <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/a-secure-bridge-to-college/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

A Secure Path to College: Caldwell Early College High School

Rocky Mount, VA Instructional coach Teresa Sanders and colleagues describe how the adoption of a rigorous, intensive Word Study program to teach decoding and understanding words has propelled student achievement to high levels. An integral part of the core English Language Arts curriculum from Kindergarten through fifth grade, Word Study practices at Rocky Mount are Read More

Rocky Mount, VA Instructional coach Teresa Sanders and colleagues describe how the adoption of a rigorous, intensive Word Study program to teach decoding and understanding words has propelled student achievement to high levels. An integral part of the core English Language Arts curriculum from Kindergarten through fifth grade, Word Study practices at Rocky Mount are <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/profiled-schools/2011-nbrs-profiles/rocky-mount-elementary/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

How Words Work: Word Study across the Grades: Rocky Mount Elementary School

The expectation that every North Star student will go to college permeates the school culture, from the morning meetings that affirm the school’s core values of responsibility, caring, courage, and respect, to individual classrooms, each of which takes the name of a college or university. North Star creates its own curriculum (lesson plans, activities, and Read More

The expectation that every North Star student will go to college permeates the school culture, from the morning meetings that affirm the school’s core values of responsibility, caring, courage, and respect, to individual classrooms, each of which takes the name of a college or university. North Star creates its own curriculum (lesson plans, activities, and <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/college-for-all-students-north-star-academy-charter-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Eyes On The Prize: Four-Year College for All Students: North Star Academy Charter School

John Wash Elementary School commits time, energy, and resources to professional development. Administrators, teachers, and resource personnel use a common instructional language. Teams collaborate to plan and master explicit, direct instructional practices with precise lesson designs and delivery. Teachers use think-alouds, graphic organizers, and white boards to check for student understanding. English learners are paired Read More

John Wash Elementary School commits time, energy, and resources to professional development. Administrators, teachers, and resource personnel use a common instructional language. Teams collaborate to plan and master explicit, direct instructional practices with precise lesson designs and delivery. Teachers use think-alouds, graphic organizers, and white boards to check for student understanding. English learners are paired <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/focus-on-professional-development-john-s-wash-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Focus on Professional Development: John Wash Elementary School

Marc Johnson, Sanger USD Superintendent, recaps the John Wash Elementary turn-around story. He identifies the guiding principles and practices that contributed to the transformation and highlights the role of leadership, high expectations, collaborative culture, and shared accountability in meeting the needs of all students. Read the transcript of Defining Moments of School Change. Return to the general Read More

Marc Johnson, Sanger USD Superintendent, recaps the John Wash Elementary turn-around story. He identifies the guiding principles and practices that contributed to the transformation and highlights the role of leadership, high expectations, collaborative culture, and shared accountability in meeting the needs of all students. Read the transcript of Defining Moments of School Change. Return to the general <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/defining-moments-of-school-change-john-s-wash-elementary-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Defining Moments of School Change: John Wash Elementary School

While only students with 2.5 GPAs are accepted to this academic magnet school, the high standards can challenge even formerly high-achieving students. Guidance staff offer a sixth-grade support program to help struggling students form relationships and learn study skills and organization. A Positive Behavior Intervention program helps students learn appropriate school behaviors. Parent involvement is Read More

While only students with 2.5 GPAs are accepted to this academic magnet school, the high standards can challenge even formerly high-achieving students. Guidance staff offer a sixth-grade support program to help struggling students form relationships and learn study skills and organization. A Positive Behavior Intervention program helps students learn appropriate school behaviors. Parent involvement is <a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/student-support-sherwood-academic-magnet-middle-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Student Support: Sherwood Academic Magnet Middle School

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best True Crime Podcasts

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!