Lord Baltimore Elementary Recognized as National Blue Ribbon School for 2023
Nationwide there are 353 schools that have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023 – and three of them are in Delaware. Blue Ribbon Schools are based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments. The three Delaware schools include Lord Baltimore Elementary School in Ocean View. The other two, Olive B. Loss Elementary School, Appoquinimink School District and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, Christina School District, are in New Castle County.
Additional information from Delaware DOE:
With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately
10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and
validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and
attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of
American schools and serve students of every background.
While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some
core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold
everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning,
and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning.
Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success.
Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative 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. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application
describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional
practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent 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.
