What is a Blue Ribbon school?

A Blue Ribbon school is a designation given by the U.S. Department of Education to schools that demonstrate high performance or significant improvement in student achievement. It's a highly prestigious award, signifying excellence in education. There's no single, rigid definition of what constitutes a Blue Ribbon school; schools are selected based on a rigorous application process and criteria that vary slightly depending on the school's type (e.g., public, private, charter) and the criteria for the year of application. Generally, high test scores and other measures of student academic achievement are key factors, but the program also considers factors like student progress and school climate.