WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today applauded the U.S. Department of Education’s recognition of 15 New Jersey schools to the list of National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015, honoring 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.

“A good education is the key to unlocking a child’s true potential and setting them on a path to success,” said Sen. Menendez. “The National Blue Ribbon is a tremendous honor, and New Jersey’s Blue Ribbon Schools have set the standard for others to follow. I commend New Jersey’s educators for their continued dedication and hard work in shaping young minds and providing all of their students with the tools they’ll need to succeed in life.”

“I am proud that 15 New Jersey schools have earned the tremendous distinction of being selected as 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools,” said Sen. Booker. “We know that the best investment we can make as a state, and as a country, is in the quality of our young people’s education. This announcement recognizes the extraordinary efforts of these New Jersey’s schools to empower and equip their students to succeed.”

The following New Jersey schools made the list:

  • Academy of Saint Paul Ramsey Bergen
  • Bergen County Academies Hackensack Bergen
  • Elizabeth Haddon School Haddonfield Camden
  • Elizabeth High School Elizabeth Union
  • Essex County Bloomfield Tech Bloomfield Essex
  • H.W. Mountz Elementary School Spring Lake Monmouth
  • Holy Cross Elementary School Rumson Monmouth
  • Liberty Corner School Liberty Corner Somerset
  • Newark Tech School Newark Essex
  • Oratory Preparatory School Summit Union
  • Our Lady of Czestochowa School Jersey City Hudson
  • Our Lady of Good Counsel School Moorestown Burlington
  • Southern Boulevard School Chatham Morris
  • Trinity Academy Caldwell Essex
  • Voorhees High School Glen Gardner Hunterdon

The New Jersey schools are among 335 nationwide being recognized by today by the U.S. Department of Education for their excellence. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program 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 or entryway has been widely recognized by everyone – from parents to policymakers – in thousands of communities as a symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

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