AUSTIN, Texas – September 19, 2023 – The United States Department of Education (USDE) today recognized 26 Texas public schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. Nationwide, 353 schools received this prestigious honor. 

The Texas public schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were: 

• Brownsville ISD: Ortiz Elementary 
• Copperas Cove ISD: House Creek Elementary
• Cross Plains ISD: Cross Plains Elementary
• Cross Roads ISD: Cross Roads Junior High
• Dallas ISD: Rosemont Upper School
• Dallas ISD: Trinity Heights Gifted and Talented School
• Dumas ISD: Sunset Elementary
• Falls City ISD: Falls City Elementary
• Frankston ISD: Frankston Elementary
• Garland ISD: Herfurth Elementary
• Gorman ISD: Maxfield Elementary
• Honey Grove ISD: Honey Grove Elementary
• Houston Gateway Academy: Houston Gateway Academy Elite College Prep
• IDEA Public Schools: IDEA Carver Academy
• Industrial ISD: Industrial Elementary
• Klein ISD: Nitsch Elementary
• Laredo ISD: Farias Elementary
• Laredo ISD: Hector J. Garcia Early College High School
• Lubbock ISD: Talkington School for Young Women Leaders
• McLeod ISD: McLeod Elementary
• Milano ISD: Milano Elementary
• Pittsburg ISD: Pittsburg Intermediate
• Roma ISD: Roel A. & Celia R. Saenz Elementary
• Royse City ISD: Davis Elementary
• Sundown ISD: Sundown Elementary 
• Vega ISD: Vega Junior High

“These schools are a shining example of the great things happening in classrooms across Texas,” said Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath. Each foster strong learning environments, employ loving, dedicated educators who focus on student outcomes, and facilitate programs and support that positively shape the leaders of tomorrow. I join Texans everywhere in saying congratulations on this incredible recognition.” 

Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. 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. 

While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals. 

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative 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 USDE 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. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement. 

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. For more on the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program in Texas, visit the TEA’s Blue Ribbon Schools webpage. 

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