For Immediate Release: September 19, 2023
Contact: communications@doe.virginia.gov
RICHMOND — Ten Virginia schools – seven public and three private – are among the schools named today as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools. The program shines a spotlight on the best schools in the United States with the intent of sharing the best practices of outstanding schools across the country.
“I want to congratulate each of these seven schools from across the commonwealth on achieving national recognition amongst the highest performing schools in the country,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons said. “These accomplishments are great examples of the possibilities when principals, teachers, parents and students have high expectations and work together to achieve them.”
The Virginia public schools recognized as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools are as follows:
Exemplary High-Performing Schools:
- Fancy Gap Elementary, Carroll County
- J.W. Adams Combined, Wise County
- Union Hall Elementary, Pittsylvania County
- Williamsburg Middle, Arlington County
Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools:
- Edwin W. Chittum Elementary, Chesapeake
- Kettle Run High, Fauquier County
- Southside Elementary, Pittsylvania County
The Virginia private schools recognized as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools are as follows:
- Charlottesville Catholic, Diocese of Richmond
- St. Gregory the Great Catholic, Diocese of Richmond
- Trinity School at Meadow View, Trinity
“Exemplary High-Performing Schools” have the highest achieving students (top 15%) in reading and mathematics as measured by state assessments, and, when applicable, have the highest high school graduation rates. “Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing” schools have made the greatest advances (top 15%) in closing the achievement gaps for diverse student groups in reading and mathematics over a multiple-year period as measured by state assessments.
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