Two local campuses named National Blue Ribbon Schools

Lynbrook High School and Joaquin Miller Middle School are among 356 schools across the nation and 33 in California to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education Sept. 23 as a National Blue Ribbon School. This recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

Both Lynbrook and Miller were named Exemplary High-Performing Schools for students' performance on state assessments and/or nationally normed tests. Lynbrook is part of the Fremont Union High School District; Miller is in the Cupertino Union School District.

"Lynbrook has a legacy of excellence," reads the National Blue Ribbon Schools website . "An impressive 86% of our graduates attend a four-year college, 10% enroll in two-year colleges and 4% enter the workforce or military service."

Miller was also recognized as a 2024 California Distinguished School. The Blue Ribbon website touts the middle school's five core beliefs: student-centered learning; responsibility, respect and character; developing skills that lead to lifelong learning; the importance of risk-taking and mistakes in the learning process; and creating a caring, supportive community.

The U.S. Department of Education accepts up to 420 nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award each year 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.