Four Kansas elementary schools have been named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, as announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona on Monday, Sept. 23. They are among 356 schools nationwide honored this year, recognized in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category.
- Garfield Elementary School, Augusta USD 402
- Herington Elementary School, Herington USD 487
- Lincoln Elementary School, Geary County USD 475
- Sunflower Elementary School, Paola USD 368
The Blue Ribbon program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools in two performance categories:
- Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
National Blue Ribbon schools are recognized for using effective teaching strategies, data-driven instruction, strong professional development, and close collaboration with families and the community to help students reach their full potential. Since the program began in 1983, 149 Kansas schools (141 public and eight private) have received this honor.
This is the first time Sunflower Elementary and a Paola USD 368 school have earned the Blue Ribbon award. Herington Elementary previously received the distinction in 2007, and Garfield Elementary in Augusta was recognized in 2006. Lincoln Elementary is receiving its first Blue Ribbon, joining several Geary County USD 475 schools, including Custer Hill Elementary, which was the district’s first Blue Ribbon school in 2002.
