Six Indianapolis-area schools were among 16 in Indiana that made it on the National Blue Ribbon Schools list this year for academic excellence and work in closing achievement gaps.

This year’s list, released on Monday, showcases the work done by the students and teachers in those schools, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a news release.

“The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities,” Cardona said. “As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.” 

What does it mean to be a Blue Ribbon School?

The National Blue Ribbon Schools program was established in 1982 and is a yearly recognition of the schools that show overall academic success and/or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps between different student groups.  

The U.S. Department of Education looks at all schools — private and public — and evaluates them based on student assessment data, student subgroup performance and graduation rates.

Schools are nominated by Indiana’s Secretary of Education or the Council for American Private Education and must meet certain qualifications like student performance data, student demographics and student subgroup performance.

Schools then submit applications detailing their school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family and community involvement.  

Up to 240 schools are nominated each year.

A list of Indiana winners from previous years is available on the Indiana Department of Education’s website.

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Indianapolis-area schools that made the 2024 Blue Ribbon list

The Indianapolis schools that made the list were nominated for the “exemplary high performing schools” category.

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Other Indiana schools on the 2024 Blue Ribbon list

• Ladoga – Ladoga Elementary School, South Montgomery Community School Corp.
• Montgomery – Barr-Reeve Middle/High School, Barr-Reeve Community Schools Inc.
• Munster – St. Thomas More School, Diocese of Gary.
• Pine Village – Pine Village Elementary School, MSD Warren County.
• Shipshewana – Meadowview Elementary School, Westview School Corp.
• Wadesville – Saint Wendel Catholic School, Diocese of Evansville.
• West Lafayette – West Lafayette Elementary School, West Lafayette Community School Corp.
• Evansville – Oak Hill Elementary School, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.
• Floyds Knobs – Saint Mary of the Knobs Catholic School, Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
• Hebron – Porter Lakes Elementary School, Porter Township School Corp.

Contact IndyStar reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.