Eight Georgia Public Schools Receive 2021 National Blue Ribbon Recognition

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education (USED) seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels.

This year, eight Georgia public schools were honored as Blue Ribbon recipients. 

Bleckley County High School, Bleckley County Schools
Crabapple Lane Elementary School, Fayette County Schools
Elite Scholars Academy, Clayton County Schools
High Shoals Elementary School, Oconee County Schools
Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson City Schools
Johns Creek Elementary School, Forsyth County Schools
Oakhurst Elementary School, City Schools of Decatur
Riverview Elementary School, Dawson County Schools

“Congratulations to Georgia's 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools!" State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “The students, teachers, staff, and families of these schools have worked tirelessly, particularly during the last year and a half, and their efforts are paying off in increased achievement for students. I am so proud of each of them as they receive this well-deserved national recognition."

USED recognizes schools in two performance 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 student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. USED invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education.

Private schools are nominated through a separate process by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). A Georgia private school, Fulton Science Academy in Alpharetta, was also recognized this year.​​​