Six Tennessee Schools Recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 | 11:36am

 

National Award Recognizes Schools Achieving Academic Excellence and Closing Achievement Gaps

 

NASHVILLE, TN—Today, the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized six Tennessee schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups. 

"The six Tennessee schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools deserve a huge congratulations for their dedication to serving students. Cultivating schools that help to close achievement gaps and promote success for all students is incredibly hard work, and being recognized by this national award is a high honor that is well deserved,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “To these six schools, and on behalf of their students, I want so say a sincere ‘thank you’ for ensuring children have access to a high-quality education each and every day.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes schools from across the country on an annual basis. For the past 39 years, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has granted approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for nomination after five years.  

This year, of 325 schools selected nationwide, the following Tennessee schools have been selected as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools:

  • Clovercroft Elementary School, Williamson County Schools
  • Liberty Elementary School, Franklin Special School District
  • Towne Acres Elementary School, Johnson City Schools
  • Sam Houston Elementary School, Maryville City Schools
  • Meigs Middle Magnet School, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
  • Thrasher Elementary School, Hamilton County Schools

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student group 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. 

The 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony is slated to be held in early November in National Harbor, Maryland. A total of 302 public and 23 non-public schools will be honored and receive plaques and flags.

Photographs and brief descriptions of all 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.

To learn more about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, click here.

For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact Edu.MediaInquiries@tn.gov.  

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