The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools for overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among at-risk students. The U.S. Department of Education determines which schools receive this award. More than 8,800 schools have earned the honor in the program’s 36-year history.
Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years.
Several greater Phoenix schools have earned National Blue Ribbon status each year from 2015 to 2019:
Exemplary High Performing Schools
2019
Alhambra Traditional School – Phoenix (Alhambra Elementary School District)
Arizona College Prep – Erie Campus (Chandler Unified School District)
Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School – Phoenix (Kyrene Elementary School District)
Montessori Education Centre Charter School (Mesa Charter School)
2018
Gilbert Classical Academy High School (Gilbert Unified School District)
Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler Unified School District)
Mesa Academy For Advanced Studies (Mesa Unified School District)
2017
Seton Catholic Preparatory (Chandler)
Arizona College Preparatory – Oakland (Chandler Unified School District)
Franklin at Brimhall Elementary School (Mesa Unified School District)
2016
Fuller Elementary School (Tempe Elementary School District)
Jack Barnes Elementary School (Queen Creek Unified School District)
Vista Del Sur Traditional School (Laveen Elementary School District)
2015
Madison Meadows Middle School (Madison Elementary School District)
Vistancia Elementary School (Peoria Unified School District)
2014
Franklin Police and Fire High School (Phoenix Union High School District)
Valley Academy (Reid Traditional Schools)
2013
Chandler Traditional Academy – Liberty Campus (Chandler Unified School District)
Xavier College Preparatory – Phoenix (Catholic Diocese of Phoenix)
Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools
2018
Franklin Junior High School (Mesa Unified School District)
Vista College Preparatory (Phoenix Charter School)
2015
Kyrene Traditional Academy (Kyrene Elementary School District)