Minnesota Honors 8 Schools After Federal Program Ends

Eight Minnesota schools are getting the recognition they earned, even after the federal program meant to honor them disappeared.

The Minnesota Department of Education announced this week it would honor schools that had been nominated for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools award before the U.S. Department of Education ended the 43-year-old program. Education Commissioner Willie Jett presented the awards at the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association Institute, ensuring months of hard work and measurable student success wouldn't go unnoticed.

The schools include Dakota Hills Middle School, Pike Lake Elementary, Valley Crossing Elementary, Browns Valley Elementary, and Kennedy Elementary. Three schools earned double recognition for both high performance and closing achievement gaps: Forest Hills Elementary, Hassan Elementary, and Northfield Middle School.

That double honor is rare. Schools had to rank among the state's top performers on standardized tests while also demonstrating strong progress in narrowing disparities between different student groups.

Why This Inspires

Commissioner Jett's decision shows what happens when leaders refuse to let bureaucracy stand in the way of celebrating success. These schools spent years developing programs and strategies that help all students thrive, not just some. Their work deserves recognition whether or not a federal label comes with it.

The move also sends a powerful message to educators across Minnesota. Real excellence means both reaching high and lifting others up. Schools that do both become models for improving outcomes everywhere.

Minnesota's quick action created a template other states could follow. When the National Blue Ribbon program ended after recognizing more than 9,000 schools nationwide since 1982, it left a gap in how America celebrates educational achievement. State-level recognition keeps that tradition alive while allowing local officials to define what excellence means for their students.

The eight honored schools now join an informal network of high-performing institutions that other districts can learn from. Their strategies for closing achievement gaps while maintaining high standards offer practical roadmaps for schools facing similar challenges.

Minnesota turned a disappointing end into a new beginning for recognizing the schools that make a difference every single day.