Westerly Elementary School has again been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for 2021. Westerly is one of only 325 schools in the United States to receive the honor this year as announced this fall by U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona.
"What an honor it is to again be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School," said Westerly Elementary School Principal Josie Sanfilippo. "This award acknowledges and validates the hard work by our amazing students, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the continuous support of our families and community members in our efforts to strive for and attain exemplary achievement. Congratulations to our entire Westerly family!"
The Department of Education honored the 2021 Blue Ribbon Schools at a recognition ceremony on November 4 and 5, 2021 in National Harbor, Maryland. Since its founding in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on approximately 9,000 of America’s schools. The program was founded by then U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, in its 39th year, honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The Blue Ribbon award’s plaque affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The Blue Ribbon award flag gracing a school’s building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. To find out more, please click here.