Three Rhode Island Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon Award

Published on Tuesday, September 19, 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI – The U.S. Department of Education has named Clayville Elementary School in Scituate, Park Elementary School in Warwick, and Woodridge Elementary School in Cranston as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023, honoring the three schools’ significant academic achievements. Park and Woodridge are recognized as Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools, while Clayville is an Exemplary High Performing School. State leaders applauded the schools for their recognition. 

“We are filled with immense pride and are thrilled to congratulate the Cranston, Scituate, and Warwick school communities on this tremendous national achievement,” said Governor Dan McKee. “These schools have demonstrated that with innovation, dedication, and a student-centered approach, we can achieve outstanding outcomes in education.” 

“Congratulations to these Rhode Island schools on receiving the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education! This well-deserved recognition reflects your unwavering commitment to excellence in education,” said Chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Patti DiCenso. “Your dedication to fostering a nurturing and inspiring learning environment empowers students to thrive and succeed. Keep shining as a beacon of educational innovation and achievement!” 

“The National Blue Ribbon Award is a testament to exemplary leadership, the hard work of educators, the engagement of students, and the support of parents and the community,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “The recognition of three Rhode Island elementary schools is an incredible achievement as we work to support our youngest learners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to the Clayville, Park, and Woodridge communities!” 

The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student 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. 

“We are incredibly proud of the Woodridge Elementary School community,” said Cranston Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse. “The principal, faculty, and students have worked very hard and this prestigious accomplishment is a testament to that collective hard work. Raising our scores and closing achievement gaps are two of our most important priorities here in Cranston. We realize that families move to our city because of our exceptional schools, and we are proud to say that we have a nationally recognized, Blue Ribbon School in our midst. It shows our families and our students that our commitment to education in Cranston is appreciated and valued.” 

“We are so very proud of the dedication and hard work that Clayville Elementary’s community puts in every day,” said Scituate Superintendent Laurie Andries. “Their recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School in the Exemplary High Performing category is well-deserved. This designation showcases our district’s parents, students, and teachers’ commitment to student learning success through engaging education.” 

"The Warwick community is extremely proud that Park Elementary School is one of three schools in Rhode Island receiving the highly distinguished National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education," said Warwick Superintendent Lynn Dambruch. "I would like to thank the teachers, staff, parents, students and administrators for their exemplary commitment to teaching and learning. This award acknowledges the highest performing schools across the country. It is an honor that Park Elementary School embraced the Warwick School Department's 'Vision of a Graduate' and made this incredible achievement."

The Rhode Island recipients of the award are three of only 353 schools nationwide selected to join more than 9,700 schools who have been recognized by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program since its inception in 1982. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. You can learn more about this year’s winners here; photographs and brief descriptions of the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available here.