Three schools in the Valley have been singled out for what the U.S. Department of Education calls “exemplary achievement”

Included among 13 Ohio schools named “National Blue Ribbon Schools” are Canfield Village Middle School, South Range Elementary School, and Seaborn Elementary school in Mineral Ridge.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel is recognizing 297 schools as National Blue Ribbon based on the school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among students.

To date, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has awarded more than 9,000 schools.

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation.

As part of the recognition, the schools may fly a National Blue Ribbon School recognizing 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.