New Jersey Honors 11 Schools with Blue Ribbon Award Amid Changes

UPDATE: New Jersey has just announced the recipients of its inaugural Blue Ribbon Schools Award, honoring 11 schools across the state. This follows the abrupt termination of the longtime National Blue Ribbon Schools program by the Trump administration in August 2023, marking a significant shift in educational recognition.

The New Jersey Department of Education has stepped in to continue the legacy, recognizing nine public schools and two private schools that were selected before the national program’s cancellation. This recognition is crucial as it highlights schools that excel in academic growth and community support.

The schools celebrated for this achievement include three from Bergen County and two from Jersey City, with others located in Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties. The full list of New Jersey’s 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools is as follows:

– Audubon — Mansion Avenue School
– East Brunswick — Hatikvah International Academy Charter School
– Englewood — The Elisabeth Morrow School (private)
– Glen Ridge — Ridgewood Avenue School
– Holmdel — Indian Hill School
– Jersey City — Liberty High School
– Jersey City — Our Lady of Czestochowa School (private)
– Lodi — Roosevelt School
– Princeton — Littlebrook School
– Teterboro — Bergen County Technical High School
– Ventnor — Ventnor Elementary School

During a recent Board of Education meeting, Kevin Dehmer, New Jersey’s education commissioner, emphasized the importance of collaboration among educators, students, and communities. He stated, “New Jersey’s 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate what is possible when we work together to support academic growth and opportunity for all learners.”

The evaluation process for the awards closely followed the criteria established by the former National Blue Ribbon Schools program, focusing on administrative leadership, high standards, and effective teaching methods. Dehmer added, “The Blue Ribbon distinction honors schools that stand out—whether through consistently high achievement or by making remarkable strides in closing opportunity gaps.”

This year’s recognition is particularly meaningful as New Jersey had 11 schools designated as National Blue Ribbon Schools in 2024, the program’s final year, an increase from nine in 2023.

As these schools are celebrated, the education landscape in New Jersey is evolving, and the state’s commitment to recognizing excellence in education will likely inspire other states to follow suit.

Stay tuned for more updates on how these schools will continue to impact their communities and set a benchmark for educational excellence across the nation.