The U.S. Department of Education has recognized 356 schools as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, including seven here in Minnesota.

The prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona says,

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools; raising the bar for our nation’s students.

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The 2024 class of national Blue Ribbon schools are recognized as top-performers in one or both of these two categories:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

Minnesota's 2024 National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Caledonia High School - Caledonia, MN

Caledonia Senior High School, located in the small rural community of Caledonia, Minnesota, serves the communities of Brownsville, Caledonia, Eitzen, and Freeburg.

Chippewa Middle School - North Oaks, MN

Chippewa Middle School serves the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, part of the Mounds View School District.

Franklin Elementary School - Mankato, MN

The Franklin Elementary School neighborhood is one of the most culturally and economically diverse in the Mankato district, and they pride themselves on embracing all members of this community.

Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School - Hills, MN

Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School is located in southwest Minnesota and serves approximately 200 students in grades 6-12.

James Knoll Elementary School - Ortonville, MN

James Knoll Elementary is located in Ortonville, MN, near beautiful Big Stone Lake. Being a part of a small, close-knit community that supports our school, has been essential to growth and success.

Oakwood Elementary School - Plymouth, MN

Oakwood Elementary School is a part of Wayzata Public Schools, located in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, and serves all or part of the communities of Corcoran, Maple Grove, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata. Oakwood.

Pioneer Elementary School - Pierz, MN

Pioneer Elementary is a moderately sized PK-6 school of about 650 children in the highly supportive small town of Pierz in central Minnesota.

Each of the seven Minnesota Blue Ribbon schools receive a flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole as a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning.