National Blue Ribbon Schools

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels.

Two Arkansas Schools Named 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Exemplary High-Performing Schools

Emerson Elementary School in the Emerson-Taylor-Bradley School District
Springhill Elementary School in the Bryant Public School District

Four Arkansas Schools Named 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools

Exemplary High Performing Schools

Carolyn Lewis Elementary School in the Conway Public Schools District
Park Magnet School in the Hot Springs School District

Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools

Hugh Goodwin Elementary School in the El Dorado School District
Portland Elementary School in the Hamburg School District

Learn more about the 2021 honorees at https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.

Blue Ribbon Schools honor public and private schools based on the following criteria:

“Exemplary High Performing” schools have their state’s highest high school graduation rates and the highest achieving students (the top 15%) in English and mathematics, measured by state assessments
“Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing” schools have made the greatest advances (top 15%) in closing subgroup achievement gaps in English and mathematics over the past five years, measured by state assessments
Private schools are recognized as “Exemplary High Performing” if their student achievement in English and mathematics is among the highest in the country (top 15%), measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

To view a list of past National Blue Ribbon School Honorees in Arkansas, go to https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html.

In addition to meeting the above performance criteria, a nominated school must have at least 100 students enrolled and have assessment data for at least 10 students in each tested grade for both reading (or English language arts) and mathematics. States with a large percentage of schools with fewer than 100 students enrolled may include up to a similar percentage of these schools in their nominations. However, each school must have assessment data for at least 10 students in each tested grade for both reading (or English language arts) and mathematics.

All nominated public schools must meet the state's measures of interim progress in the state accountability system or other performance targets that are set for the school year in question in at least reading (or English language arts) and mathematics and graduation rates and possibly other academic indicators, for the all students group and all subgroups. Additionally, nominated schools must have assessment participation rates of at least 95 percent using the most recent accountability results available, for the all students group and all subgroups. Finally, in order to meet all eligibility requirements, all nominated public schools must be certified by the state prior to September announcement of National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U. S. Secretary of Education.

For more information, please contact:

Chante'le' Williams, Program Coordinator
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Federal Programs
1401 W. Capitol, Suite 430
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-1699
Email: Chante’le.Williams@ade.arkansas.gov