RALEIGH — Five North Carolina public schools have been named as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022 by U.S. Department of Education.
The five schools include Weatherstone Elementary School in Wake County; Seventy-First Classical Middle School in Cumberland County; W.A. Bess Elementary School in Gaston County; East Robeson Primary School, in Robeson County; and Southeastern Academy Charter School in Robeson County.
Blue Ribbon Schools awards have two categories:
- 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 subgroups and all students over the past five years.
The five schools receiving the award this year all fall under the category of Exemplary High Performing.
N.C. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt congratulated the schools chosen.
“These five schools exemplify the best of public education in North Carolina,” Truitt said in a statement. “Their entire school communities – including educators, students and parents – are helping to lead the way toward stronger schools across the state and ever better outcomes for students.”
The five schools are among 297 schools nationwide recognized this year for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps.
“I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams,” U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a press release.
Last year, eight K-12 schools in North Carolina were named Blue Ribbon Schools. Five of the eight were named as Exemplary High Performing and three as Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing schools.
