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Program Overview

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored and recognized great American public and private elementary, middle, and high schools since 1982. A National Blue Ribbon Schools flag waving overhead has become a trademark of excellence, a symbol of quality recognized by everyone from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities.

The program recognizes schools that meet either of two criteria:

• Exemplary High performing schools: Schools whose students achieve at very high levels.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: Schools making significant progress in closing achievement gaps among different groups of students. (This category is for public schools only.)

National Blue Ribbon Schools are honored each year at a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC. The applications from the award-winning schools are posted on the Department Web site.

Applicants are advised to read the application and all information on this page very carefully.

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Eligibility Criteria

Private schools are eligible for Blue Ribbon recognition if they are exemplary high performing schools.

Exemplary High Performing Schools: "High performing" means that the achievement of the school’s students in the most recently completed school year places the school in the top 15 percent in the nation in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics as measured by a nationally normed test or in the top 15 percent of its state as measured by a state test. If a non-public school administers both state tests and nationally normed tests, the school must be in the top 15 percent in both.

Disaggregated results for student groups, including students from disadvantaged backgrounds, must be similar to the results for all students tested in the most recently completed school year; at a minimum, student subgroups must be at the 60th student percentile or higher on nationally standardized tests or state tests if administered. A student from a "disadvantaged background" may include economically disadvantaged students, that is students who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, students with disabilities, students who are limited English proficient, migrant students, and/or students receiving services under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.

For high schools, the graduation rate in the most recent class of graduates must be 95 percent or higher.

For schools using nationally standardized tests, the U.S. Department of Education has published tables of cut scores for each grade that place performance in the top 15 percent of schools in the nation. You can download the cut scores (PDF) here. (Detailed procedures for determining eligibility based on test scores for national tests are provided below.)  

Schools using state standardized tests will have to find out from their state education department whether their scores place them in the top 15 percent of schools in the state for each test (see State Contacts List).

Whether a school uses national or state tests or both, the top 15 percent criterion must be met in both reading and math scores for the most recently completed school year for ALL grades three and higher in which the tests were administered in the school.

To be eligible, schools must enroll a minimum of 100 students and must have assessment data for at least 10 students in each tested grade for both reading and math for grades 3 and higher.

Test results for grades three and higher during the most recently completed school year (in this case, the 2020-2021 school year) must be reported in Part VIII of the application. (Note: It is no longer necessary to report five years of test results.) If a school administered tests more than once during the 2020-2021 school year, the most recent test results should be used to determine eligibility.

Only not-for-profit schools are eligible to apply.

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Download the NBRS Application Process Pacing Guide

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Process and Timeline

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Does Your School Rank in the Top 15 Percent?

The U.S. Department of Education has published tables of cut scores for standardized tests that school officials can use to determine whether their school ranks in the top 15 percent of schools in the nation. You can download the cut scores here (PDF). Cut scores are available for the following tests:

• Iowa Assessments (Forms E,F,G), Riverside Publishing
• SAT – 10th Ed (Forms A and D), Pearson Education
• Terra Nova 3, DRC/CTB
• SAT 2017, College Board
• ACT, ACT
• ACT Aspire, ACT
• CTP 5, Educational Records Bureau *
• MAP, NWEA
• Performance Series, Scantron
• STAR, Renaissance Learning
• CLT, CLT10, CLT8, Classic Learning Initiatives
• i-Ready Diagnostic, Curriculum Associates

If a school's nationally normed testing program is not listed above, the school is not eligible for the BRS program unless it administers, and qualifies using, state tests.

In cases where state tests are administered, a school should contact its state education department to find out what scores in reading and math put it in the top 15 percent of schools in the state (see State Contacts List).

* Note that for the CPT 5 test, "grade" indicates the level of the content covered by the assessment, not necessarily the grade of the students when taking the test.

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Online Application Process

After November 8, schools that pre-registered for the program by the November 1 deadline will receive via email a school code and keyword to access the online application. A hardcopy of the application is available here in PDF format for reference and practice, but schools must complete the application online.

As part of the CAPE review process, schools must send CAPE two printed copies of the online application for receipt at CAPE by January 7, 2022  To print a copy of the online application, follow the instructions on the online application site. Schools must also submit their applications online by the January 7, 2022 deadline.

After CAPE’s review panel meets in January to select the 50 schools to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, we will notify schools with suggestions about final amendments they should make.  At that time, schools will be provided instructions on how to update their applications.

Here are some additional guidelines for completing the online application using the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Portal:

1. Narrative responses to application questions must address the topic succinctly. No attachments to the online application can be submitted. Bulleted sections are not acceptable.
2. Tables, charts, graphs, photos cannot be accommodated by the online application. 
3. On-line instructions must be followed when copying/pasting text from Word to the online application.
4. Saving work frequently is necessary to protect the “work in progress.”
5. Printing the application for review is possible before and after the final submission.
6. Public and private school applicants must convert the original signed cover page of the application to a PDF file and upload the PDF via the online application portal.
7. All applications must be completed and submitted by the program's timelines.
8. SPECIAL NOTE FOR SCHOOLS THAT TAKE STATE TESTS: The application does not provide an opportunity to record results from state tests. A private school that administers state tests will have to submit with the application to CAPE a copy of the printout(s) from the state education department that identifies the school's scores in reading and math for the most recently completed school year in ALL grades tested from grade 3 up. The school will also have to provide evidence from the state education department that the scores reported in the most recently completed school year place it in the top 15 percent of schools in the state in both reading and math for each grade tested from grade 3 up.  

Instructions for completing the application are provided as online help text. Assistance is available for school applicants through the National Blue Ribbon Schools Technical Assistance Team, run by RMC Research Corp., the Department of Education's contractor for the program. Please use this form to contact the team for help in navigating the online system, or with questions regarding responses to the narrative or data items. Alternatively, you can contact the technical suport team as follows:

• Email: ContactUs@NationalBlueRibbonSchools.com
• Phone: 800-258-0802 or 603-422-8888

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Additional Guidelines

1. Read and follow the directions in the application packet carefully. Pay attention to the technical specifications. When CAPE's review panel evaluates applications in an effort to narrow the field to the allotted 50, it eliminates applications that do not comply with the program's rules and specifications.
2. The program is looking to identify truly exemplary model schools, not just good schools or strong schools. Your responses to the questions must convey programs and practices that are well above the ordinary.
3. Periodically check the Frequently Asked Questions section of CAPE's Web site.
4. Check your application against the U.S. Department of Education's Tips for Completing the Application as well as the scoring guidelines from CAPE that reviewers will use to evaluate applications.
5. Some narrative questions have changed for the 2022 program. Be sure your responses hit all the points called for in the two documents identified in #4 above.
6. Proofread and edit the application. Someone with a solid background in writing should do the final edit.
7. We welcome your phone calls (844-883-CAPE), or e-mail inquiries (brs@capenet.org) concerning any aspect of the application process. One of our goals at CAPE is to help private schools receive recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools!
8. When you get your superintendent (e.g., for Catholic schools) and/or school board president to sign the cover sheet, do so well in advance of the January 7, 2022 due date. Faxed signatures are not accepted. Only original signed cover sheets are accepted. Also, be sure to make a PDF copy of the original signed cover sheet because you will have to upload it via the online application portal in addition to submitting it to CAPE.
9. Be sure to read the Part I Eligibility Certification carefully to make sure you meet the criteria listed, and be sure to submit the certification with your application.
10. Here are some points to review in connection with part II of the application:
    1. The percentages reported in #6, #7, and #8 are calculated using the ratio of the total number of students in each category to the total student enrollment in the school (last row and column of #3).
    2. The ratio reported in #11 should be calculated using full-time equivalent classroom teachers, which can be determined by using row 2 of item 10. For example, five full-time teachers and six half-time teachers equal eight full-time equivalent teachers.
11. Examples of responses to particular questions may be found in the applications of winning private schools from previous years. See the NBRS Awards Page of the USDE Web site.
12. Avoid using the first person (we, our, etc.) in the narrative.
13. Schools that have enrollments under 100 (excluding the number of students in PreK) or that have enrollments of nine or fewer students tested in any grade for which test scores are reported are NOT eligible to apply.
14. If you belong to a (arch)diocese, identify the (arch)diocese and superintendent in the "district" section. Make sure the superintendent signs the cover sheet that you submit with the paper copies of the application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

General —

1. What is the maximum number of schools that CAPE can nominate to the USDE for recognition?

Fifty.

2. What if CAPE receives more exemplary applications from qualifying schools than it can nominate?

The CAPE review panel will narrow the field to 50 by eliminating applications not in compliance with the requirements of the program (including submission deadlines and other technical requirements) and by evaluating the quality and responsiveness of the essay questions. Download the scoring guidelines (PDF) that reviewers will use for the 2022 program. CAPE will give preference to schools that applied in previous cycles of the BRS program but were unsuccessful because of technical (as opposed to substantive) violations.* Preference will be given to schools that did not win the award in the years 2006-2016 (schools that won after those years are not eligible to apply). Finally, efforts may be made to avoid an excessive concentration of schools from the same state. After that, all applications of eligible schools that meet the requirements of the program and that provide exemplary responses to the essay questions will be pooled, and nominated schools will be selected randomly.

*To receive this preferential treatment, schools that fall in this category should attach a note to the draft application submitted in December to let CAPE know that the application is a second try. The note should indicate the year and violation of the initial application.

3. Must a school have a minimum enrollment to apply?

Schools must have an enrollment of 100 or more students. Also, it must have at least 10 tested students in each grade for which test scores are reported (which should be each grade in which tests are administered from grade 3 up).

4. May a K-12 school apply to have only part of its school recognized (e.g., the elementary division or the middle school division)?

Schools located on the same campus (physical location and mailing address) must apply as an entire school (i.e. K-8; 6-12; K-12 school). Two (or more) schools located on separate campuses, must apply individually even if they have the same principal. A single school located on multiple campuses with one principal must apply as an entire school.

5. If a school received the NBRS award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 or 2021 may it apply for the 2022 award?

No. Only schools that have not received the award in the past five years are eligible for the program. Note that priority in the selection process will be given to private schools that did not win the award in years 2006-2016.

6. May a new school apply?

A nominated school must be in existence with its current grade configuration for at least five full years, that is, since September 2017. Merged schools are considered new schools for purposes of this rule.

7. May for-profit schools apply?

No. Only not-for-profit schools may apply.

Assessment Verification —

8. What assessment verification must schools submit to CAPE?

Depending on how they qualify for the program, schools must include the following information with the hardcopy of the application that is due at CAPE in December:

Exemplary High Performing Schools in Nation: A copy of a printout from the testing publisher (it generally has the company's logo on it) that identifies the school's scores in reading and math for the most recently completed school year in ALL grades tested from grade 3 up. We prefer a single sheet covering all grades, but if your testing company does not report scores that way, then submit a separate sheet for each grade. Attach the document(s) to the very end of your application.  The point of the assessment verification document(s) is to verify the accuracy of the scores the school has reported for the most recently completed school year, so the scores on the online application and the assessment verification document(s) should match. Many schools are disqualified from the program either because they do not submit an assessment verification sheet, or they report the wrong kinds of scores (e.g., school percentiles instead of student percentiles), or the scores in the online tables do not match the assessment verification scores.  Please contact CAPE if you have questions about any of this. Also, high schools using SAT and ACT scores from multiple testing dates (see #21 below) should contact CAPE regarding assessment verification.

Exemplary High Performing Schools in State: A copy of the printout(s) from the state education department that identifies the school's scores in reading and math for the most recently completed school year in ALL grades tested from grade 3 up. The school must also provide evidence from the state education department that the scores reported in the most recently completed school year place the school in the top 15 percent of schools in the state in both reading and math for each grade tested from grade 3 up. Finally, if the school is required to report disaggregated results for student subgroups (see guidelines here), it must provide evidence from the state education department that results for student subgroups in the most recently completed school year are at the 60th student percentile or higher on state tests.

Other Assessment Issues —

9. Where do I find the nationally standardized test scores that I should be reporting and that qualify my school for the program?

It’s different for each testing company, but here is guidance for the most popular K-8 tests. You can report scores as scale scores OR as percentiles, but not both. You must report scores consistently across all grades. Note, however, that if you have to disaggregate scores for subgroups (see guidelines here), you should report all scores as scale scores.

Iowa AssessmentS (ITBS FORM E)

If Reporting Scale Scores: On the testing company’s summary report for the grade in question, look at the row marked “Average Standard Score (SS)” (sometimes listed as "Average NSS") and go to the columns marked “Reading” and “Mathematics.”   Report these scores for all grades tested (3 and higher).  To see if your school qualifies for the program, take these scores for each grade tested in the most recently completed school year and compare them to the cut scores found for the appropriate grade and subject under the table marked “School Mean Scale Score at 85th Percentile of National School Norms” on the ITBS page of the Education Department’s cut scores document .  BE SURE TO USE THE HIGHER FORM E SCORES WHERE APPLICABLE. Note that there are two different score columns for fall and spring administrations of the test. Use the column that applies to your school.

If Reporting Percentiles: On the testing company’s summary report for the grade in question, look at the row marked “National Percentile Rank of Average SS” (sometimes listed as NPR of Average NSS) and go to the columns marked “Reading” and “Mathematics.”   Report these scores for all grades tested (3 and higher).  To see if your school qualifies for the program, take these scores for each grade tested in the most recently completed school year and compare them to the cut scores found for the appropriate grade and subject under the table marked “Student Percentile Equivalent for the 85th School Percentile” on the ITBS page of the Education Department’s cut scores document .  BE SURE TO USE THE HIGHER FORM E SCORES WHERE APPLICABLE. Note that there are two different score columns for fall and spring administrations of the test. Use the column that applies to your school.

Terra Nova 3 

If Reporting Scale Scores: On the testing company’s summary report for the grade in question, look at the row marked “Mean Scale Score” and go to the columns marked “Read” and “Math” (not “Read Compst” and “Math Compst”). Report these scores for all grades tested (3 and higher).  (Note: In some reports the columns and rows are switched, in which case you would use the column marked "MSS" and the rows marked "Reading" and "Mathematics.") To see if your school qualifies for the program, take these scores for each grade tested in the most recently completed school year and compare them to the cut scores found for the appropriate grade and subject under the table marked “School Mean Scale Score at 85th Percentile of National School Norms” on the Terra Nova 3 page of the Education Department’s cut scores document . Note that the Terra Nova 3 table reports separate scores for spring and fall administrations of the test. Use the scores that apply to your school.

If Reporting Percentiles: On the testing company’s summary report for the grade in question, look at the row marked “NP of the Mean NCE” and go to the columns marked “Read” and “Math” (not “Read Compst” and “Math Compst”). Report these scores for all grades tested (3 and higher).  (Note: In some reports the columns and rows are switched, in which case you would use the column marked "MDNP" and the rows marked "Reading" and "Mathematics.") To see if your school qualifies for the program, take these scores for each grade tested in the most recently completed school year and compare them to the cut scores found for the appropriate grade and subject under the table marked “Student Percentile Equivalent for the 85th School Percentile” on the Terra Nova 3 page of the Education Department’s cut scores document . Note that the Terra Nova 3 table reports separate scores for spring and fall administrations of the test. Use the scores that apply to your school.

Stanford Achievement Test

Special Note: Schools using the SAT should be sure to read the special note on page 1 of the cut scores document prepared by the U.S. Department of Education.

If Reporting Scale Scores: On the testing company’s summary report for the grade in question, look at the row marked "Mean Scale Score" and go to the columns marked “Total Reading” and “Total Mathematics.” Report these scores for all grades tested (3 and higher). To see if your school qualifies for the program, take these scores for each grade tested in the most recently completed school year and compare them to the cut scores found for the appropriate grade and subject under the table marked “School Mean Scale Score at 85th Percentile of National School Norms” on the SAT page of the Education Department’s cut scores document .  Note that there are different SAT pages reflecting different SAT editions.

If Reporting Percentiles: On the testing company’s summary report for the grade in question, look at the rows marked "National PR-S of the Mean National NCE and to the the columns marked “Total Reading” and “Total Mathematics.”  Note that the PR-S row gives two scores, the percentile and the stanine, separated by a dash. The first two digits are the percentile. Only use that score. Report these scores for all grades tested (3 and higher). To see if your school qualifies for the program, take the scores for each grade tested in the most recently completed school year and compare them to the cut scores found for the appropriate grade and subject under the table marked “Student Percentile Equivalent for the 85th School Percentile” on the SAT page of the Education Department’s cut scores document.  Note that there are two different SAT pages reflecting different SAT editions.

10. Does a school have to meet or exceed the cut scores for every grade tested from grade 3 and higher?

Yes

11. If a school is in a state that requires private schools to take state tests, should the school use nationally normed tests or state tests to qualify for the program?

If a private school administers state tests and nationally normed tests, the school must report both sets of test results and be in the top 15 percent in both. In other words, such schools must qualify under state standards and national standards.

12. If a private school elects to, but is not mandated to, administer state tests in addition to national tests, must it report the state test results and meet the state test cutoff scores?

Yes

13. Where can I find out what state tests to report, how to report them, and whether my school is in the top 15 percent of schools in the state?

For questions about state assessments, call your state department of education using the State Contacts List. NOTE: The application does not provide an opportunity to record results from state tests. A private school that administers state tests will have to submit with the application to CAPE a copy of the printout(s) from the state education department that identifies the school's scores in reading and math for the most recently completed school year in ALL grades tested from grade 3 up. The school will also have to provide evidence from the state education department that the scores reported in the most recently completed school year place it in the top 15 percent of schools in the state in both reading and math for each grade tested from grade 3 up.

14. If a school uses nationally standardized tests for which qualifying cut scores have not been determined by the USDE, is there any way it can qualify under the "top 15 percent in the nation" category?

We're sorry, but at this point there is not. If a school wishes to qualify under the "top 15 percent in the nation" category, it must use a test whose publisher has provided the U.S. Department of Education with qualifying cutoff scores.

Disaggregation —

15. Under what circumstances must a school disaggregate assessment data for certain groups of students?

The school must disaggregate the data for the following groups of students only if the subgroup represents at least 10 percent of the school’s total enrollment in the current school year:

1. students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals,
2. any minority (non-white) ethnic/racial group,
3. limited English proficient students,
4. students with disabilities.

In the application itself, refer to Part II, Demographic Data items 4, 6, 7, and 8 for the percentages of total current enrollment of potential subgroups.

Important Note: If indeed the school meets the 10 percent standard described above, it then only needs to report assessment results for subgroups if there are at least 10 tested students in the subgroup in a given grade. If the number of students assessed in any subgroup is fewer than 10, do not report the test results or the number of students assessed for the subgroup.

With respect to meal-eligible students, the school must disaggregate the data (assuming the conditions above apply) whether or not the school actually offers the federal school meal program.

Disaggregated results for student groups must be similar to the levels of all students tested. At a minimum, student subgroups must be at the 60th student percentile or higher on nationally standardized tests or state tests if administered.

Note that you cannot average percentiles when calculating disaggregated scores. You can average scale scores, however. Accordingly, if you have to disaggregate scores, you should report all scores for all grades as scale scores so that your score reporting is consistent. Also, you must provide evidence from the testing company and/or the state that disaggregated scale scores are at the 60th student percentile or higher. It gets complicated, so you might want to contact CAPE on this point.

SPECIAL NOTE: There has been lingering confusion regarding disaggregation. When a school reports test scores for an entire grade and measures those scores against the cut scores for the program, the expectation is that those scores reflect the performance of ALL students in the grade. If schools are required to report disaggregated results for certain groups because they meet the conditions described above, those groups and their results are not then removed from the scores for the entire grade. In effect, the results for those groups are reported twice: once as part of the entire grade and once as a disaggregated group.

Other Issues —

16. When reporting test scores in the online application, I am supposed to enter the number and percentage of students alternatively assessed.  What is an alternative assessment?

An alternative assessment is an assessment designed for the small number of students with disabilities who are unable to participate in the regular grade-level standardized assessment, even with appropriate accommodations.  An alternative assessment can measure progress based on alternate achievement standards.  The term does not refer to adjustments in the administration of a standardized test in order to accommodate student needs.  Note that an explanation must be provided if the percentage of students alternatively assessed is greater than two (2) percent of all students tested.

17. May the assessment results reported by the testing company be adjusted to allow for special circumstances (e.g., by excluding the scores of a student who falls asleep during the test and thereby brings the group’s average down)?

No. The only scores that count are those reported by the testing company. The school may not make adjustments to these scores.

18. Does the "top 15 percent" requirement mean that the school has to demonstrate that all student groups in the school score equally well?

No. Schools may use aggregate scores to qualify. However, each student group for whom there are disaggregated data must achieve at levels similar to the majority students; at a minimum, student subgroups must be at the 60th student percentile or higher on nationally standardized tests or state tests if administered.

secondary schools —

19. We are a high school, but ninth grade is the highest grade we test, may we use those scores to qualify for the program?

No. High schools may only use scores for tenth grade or higher to qualify.

20. What if the nationally normed high school test used is the ACT or SAT?

If 90 percent or more of students from the most recent graduating class took the SATs, but not the ACTs, use the SATs to qualify for the program. If 90 percent or more of students from the most recent graduating class took the ACTs, but not the SATs, use the ACTs to qualify for the program. If 90 percent or more of students took some combination of the SATs and ACTs (e.g., 50 percent take SATs and 40 percent take ACTs) use both tests to quality for the program. If fewer than 90 percent take the tests, the results cannot be reported. The school has the responsibility to demonstrate that, in the aggregate, the students in a school achieve in the top 15 percent of the nation on these tests and that any disaggregated results (if required) for student groups are at the 60th student percentile or higher.

21. If a student takes the ACT or SAT multiple times, may a school use the highest scores attained by that student in calculating the class average?

Yes, but contact CAPE on how to provide assessment verification.

22. Should high schools submit PSAT or PLAN results?

No.

23. If a high school has 90 percent or more of its seniors taking some combination of the ACT and SAT, must it submit those scores and must they meet or exceed the cut scores for the program?

Yes.

24. If a high school has its seniors take a standardized test other than the ACT and SAT but also has 90 percent or more or its seniors taking some combination of the ACT and SAT, must it submit both sets of scores and must they both meet or exceed the cutoff scores for the program.

Yes.