National Blue Ribbon School 2023

Elizabethtown Area High School was awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon School designation by the U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. This recognition is a testament to the outstanding educational opportunities and achievements offered by our dedicated educators, motivated students, and supportive school community.

The Blue Ribbon School Program is a nationally recognized award that honors public and private K-12 schools across the United States for their academic excellence and exceptional achievements. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education identifies and celebrates schools that demonstrate exemplary performance. Elizabethtown Area High School is one of three high schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to earn this distinction in 2023 and joins 353 other school districts from around the nation that earned this year’s highly prestigious honor. 

Now in its 40th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has presented this coveted award to approximately 10,000 schools, including some that won multiple awards. Schools recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools are celebrated for their excellence and serve as models of effective school practices for others across the nation. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes all honorees in one of two performance categories based on all student scores, student subgroup scores, and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state's highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state's highest-performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's student groups and all students. 

Elizabethtown Area High School's award was in the Exemplary High-Performing School category. The rigorous selection process for the Blue Ribbon Schools Program included a comprehensive review of academic data, evidence of instructional excellence, and an extensive application process. The award not only recognized past achievements but also signified a commitment to continued improvement and excellence in education.

The District's application centered around its ongoing commitment to its Life Ready Model and Culture of Belonging initiatives. The Life Ready Model aligns our academic offerings with personalized and career-specific learning opportunities to help all students achieve their goals and aspirations. Our Culture of Belonging effort pairs our academic offerings with opportunities that support emotional readiness, social skills, and teamwork to optimize our students' school experience and help propel them to pursue their desired path after graduation.

The official Blue Ribbon School awards ceremony will take place in Washington, DC, where the U.S. Department of Education will formally recognize Elizabethtown Area High School for this outstanding achievement.