Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) congratulated Monmouth County Communications High School in Wall, NJ on being recognized as one of the top-performing schools in the country with a National Blue Ribbon School designation issued by the U.S. Department of Education.

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Principal Gleason, the students and staff of Communications High School for being named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education,” said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) in response to the announcement by the Dept. of Education on Thursday. “They are one of only nine schools in New Jersey to receive the coveted Blue Ribbon designation this year. There are few investments we can make in our society that pay higher dividends than the education of our children, and it is an extraordinary distinction that Communications High School was selected for overall academic excellence and progress in demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels.”

Across the country, 362 public and private schools have been honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019 representing U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and military bases. Since 1982, more than 9,000 schools around the country have received the award.

Dept. of Education recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates. “Exemplary High Performing Schools” are chosen from among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Also, “Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools” are selected among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's student groups and all students.

In its 37^th year, The National Blue Ribbon School award highlights the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating successful schools where students master a challenging curriculum. The National Blue Ribbon School flag displayed at a school is a widely-recognized symbol of quality teaching and learning.

Representatives from each school will be invited to be formally recognized on November 14-15 at a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC. when each school will be presented with an award plaque and a flag as symbols of being named a Blue Ribbon School. The list of all 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools is available on the Dept. of Education’s website. More information about the program can be found here.

The Dept. of Education invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).