Rise Academy among 31 Texas schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools

LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) - The U.S. Department of Education today recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of the National Blue Ribbon Schools, including 31 schools in Texas. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

The Texas schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:

Texas – Archer City – Archer City Elementary School, Archer City ISD.

Texas – Booker – Bob L. Kirksey Elementary School, Booker ISD.

Texas – Brownsville – BRYSS Academy, Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success.

Texas – Dallas – St. Philip's School & Community Center, St. Philip's School and Community Center.

Texas – De Leon – De Leon High School, De Leon Independent School District.

Texas – Farmers Branch – Dave Blair Elementary School, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.

Texas – Flatonia – Flatonia Elementary School, Flatonia ISD.

Texas – Galveston – Ambassadors Preparatory Academy, Ambassadors Preparatory Academy.

Texas – Gruver – Gruver High School, Gruver ISD.

Texas – Hillsboro – Hillsboro Junior High School, Hillsboro ISD.

Texas – Houston – Alief Early College High School, Alief ISD.

Texas – Houston – Christ the Redeemer Catholic School, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Texas – Houston – Saint John Paul II Catholic School, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Texas – Hurst – Grapevine-Colleyville Collegiate Academy at Tarrant County College Northeast, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.

Texas – Jayton – Jayton Schools, Jayton-Girard ISD.

Texas – Laredo – Abraham Kazen Elementary School, United ISD.

Texas – Laredo – Jesus A. Kawas Elementary School, Laredo ISD.

Texas – Longview – Hudson Elementary School, Longview ISD.

Texas – Lubbock – Rise Academy, Rise Academy.

Texas – Mertzon – Irion County High School, Irion County ISD.

Texas – Nazareth – Nazareth School, Nazareth ISD.

Texas – Palestine – Neches High School, Neches ISD.

Texas – Pearland – St. Helen Catholic School, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Texas – Plano – Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic School, Diocese of Dallas.

Texas – Quanah – Quanah High School, Quanah ISD.

Texas – Roma – Florence J. Scott Elementary School, Roma ISD.

Texas – San Antonio – Robert B. Green Elementary at Riverside Park, San Antonio ISD.

Texas – Tyler – Caldwell Arts Academy, Tyler ISD.

Texas – Vanderbilt – Industrial Junior High School, Industrial ISD.

Texas – Whitehouse – Gus Winston Cain Elementary School, Whitehouse ISD.

Texas – Whitewright – Whitewright Middle School, Whitewright ISD.

"The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "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. 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."

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.

A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school's entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.

The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:

Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.