Originally published in Alabama Daily News
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The U.S. Department of Education has ended the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, according to a Friday letter to state school chiefs from department communications official Madi Biedermann.
The decision ends more than four decades of national recognition for schools that stood out for academic excellence or for narrowing achievement gaps. Winning the award frequently led to celebrations in local communities beyond the school, bringing national recognition for principals, teachers and students.
Alabama Board of Education member Jackie Zeigler, who was principal at Mary B. Austin Elementary in Mobile County when the school received the award in 2006, said she was surprised by the announcement.
“I’m sad,” Zeigler said. “I had no idea that was coming down the pike.”
She added that while Alabama and other states operate recognition programs, winning a national award has special significance.
“I just found it great when you go in competition with everybody around the United States and you, from the state of Alabama – which they had not at that time given us accolades — there you were,” Zeigler said.
State Superintendent Eric Mackey also pointed to the significance of the national honor.
“We have certainly enjoyed watching a large variety of Alabama schools being recognized through the years as National Blue Ribbon Schools,” Mackey said. “Even though we recognize many schools at the state level – and will continue to do so – there is something special about this national award.”
Launched in 1982, the program highlighted schools for overall academic excellence or for narrowing achievement gaps. Over four decades, more than 9,000 schools nationwide received the award.
In Alabama, 134 public and private schools have been recognized, including five last year. Some have won the award more than once.
The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools included Mountain Brook’s Brookwood Forest Elementary, where nearly 90% of students were proficient in English language arts in 2024. Cullman City Schools’ East Elementary, where 35% of students were in poverty and 87% of students reached proficiency in ELA.
Three of the five were Title I schools, meaning at least 40% of students were in poverty:
- Birmingham’s EPIC Alternative Elementary School, a magnet school – 80% students were proficient in ELA, 63% of students in poverty
- Hartselle City’s Crestline Elementary – 83% of students proficient in ELA, 51% of students in poverty
- Dothan’s Carver School of Math, Science and Technology – 92% of students proficient in ELA, 59% of students in poverty
Schools did not apply directly for the honor. Instead, schools were nominated by state liaisons, a role the Department noted in Friday’s letter.
“In the spirit of Returning Education to the States, USED is ending its role in the program. State leaders are best positioned to recognize excellence in local schools based on educational achievements that align with their communities’ priorities for academic accomplishment and improvement,” the letter said.
As of Friday afternoon, no announcement about the program’s closure had been posted to its official social media accounts. The most recent update, from Aug. 14, highlighted a Connecticut school and featured its photo as the program’s cover image.
Congratulations to the 2024 National Blue Ribbon School awardees🏅#NBRS2024 https://t.co/hI6xiWlrbl pic.twitter.com/ocjBxFVNnm
— National Blue Ribbon (@NatlBlueRibbon) September 23, 2024
The table below lists Alabama’s National Blue Ribbon Schools.
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