Sonia Sotomayor fifth grade students circle up to create a ribbon

We are beyond excited to announce that our very own Sonia Sotomayor Elementary was named one of only 297 schools across the country as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2022! This distinguished recognition is based on the school’s overall academic performance.

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. 

 The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

  •  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 student groups and all students.

 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.

Congratulations to all the staff, students, and families of Sonia Sotomayor Elementary!