Four Colorado schools win national Blue Ribbon recognition

A large stone, school building outside with a cloudy, blue sky in the background.
DSST: Cedar High School, housed in this building, was one of Colorado four schools named 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools on Monday. (Courtesy of DSST: Cedar Middle & High School)

Four Colorado schools are among more than 350 nationwide to be named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools for high achievement or progress in narrowing achievement gaps.

Zach Elementary in Fort Collins and DSST Cedar High School in Denver won the designation for achievement on state math and literacy tests. Mesa View Elementary in Grand Junction and Skyview Middle in Pueblo West won for shrinking test score gaps between student subgroups and the overall student body

The U.S. Department of Education announced the Blue Ribbon schools on Monday. Of the four Colorado winners, one is a charter school — DSST Cedar, which is a part of Denver’s largest charter school network. Private schools are eligible for Blue Ribbon designation, but none were among the Colorado recipients this year.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona talked about the significance of the Blue Ribbon Schools designation during a recorded speech on Monday.

“It means that your school is the pride of your community and the model for schools across the nation,” he said.

The first set of Blue Ribbon awards were given out in 1983, and four to six Colorado schools typically win the designations every year. Last year, two schools in the Denver metro area, a school on the Eastern Plains, and a school in Western Colorado earned the awards.

Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat, covering early childhood issues and early literacy. Contact Ann at aschimke@chalkbeat.org.

The Latest

Community leaders are divided about what type of intervention is needed.

The current version of the legislation is a far cry from what bill sponsors envisioned.

One building will become a preschool center. Another will be the new home of an existing middle and high school.

Students who complete one of the state’s new graduation pathways will also be eligible for interviews with large companies.

The council asked for nearly $300 million more for early childhood education, which has emerged as a major sticking point in recent budget negotiations.

There are 11 candidates running for three seats, as teen voters gear up to vote for the first time in the local school board election.