11 new National Blue Ribbon Schools named in N.J.

Eleven public and private schools have been chosen as New Jersey's newest National Blue Ribbon Schools , the U.S. Department of Education announced Monday.

That's an increase over the nine New Jersey schools that received the honor last year. The Blue Ribbon designation is considered one of the highest education honors in the nation.

"The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation's students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child."

New Jersey's 2024-25 winners are:

Basking Ridge – St. James School, Diocese of Metuchen

Fort Lee – Fort Lee School No. 3, Fort Lee Public School District

Glen Rock – Alexander Hamilton Elementary School, Glen Rock School District

Jersey City – Soaring Heights Charter School

Mountainside – Deerfield Elementary School, Mountainside School District

Pine Brook – Hilldale Elementary School, Montville Township Public Schools

Rumson – Forrestdale School, Rumson Borough School District

Skillman – Montgomery Upper Middle School, Montgomery Township School District

Wayne – Pioneer Academy, private school

Wharton – Catherine A Dwyer Elementary School, Rockaway Township School District

Woodbridge – Woodbridge Academy Magnet School, Middlesex County Magnet Schools

One of the new Blue Ribbon winners — Montgomery Upper Middle School in Skillman — received the news of the honor Monday, shortly after one of its teachers, Stefanie Lachenauer, was named New Jersey's new Teacher of the Year.

Blue Ribbon schools are chosen for having strong leaders, upholding high standards and using effective teaching methods based on data, federal officials said. The schools also offer strong teacher training, make sure every student succeeds, and collaborate with the family and community.

Schools are scored based on test results, graduation rates, how student subgroups fare, and how well they address achievement gaps.

Up to 420 schools can be nominated a year by top education officials and leaders in private education. The schools must then fill out an application that includes information about its culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, and family and community involvement.

The winners can be chosen as either "Exemplary High Performing Schools" or "Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools." All the New Jersey schools selected this year were in the high performing category.

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