US ends Blue Ribbon recognition, Louisiana looks to state programs

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Seven Louisiana schools earned Blue Ribbon status in 2024, but with the federal program ending, the future of such recognition now rests in the hands of states.

Among last year’s honorees were Mayfair Laboratory School and Saint Aloysius School in Baton Rouge, both recognized as some of the best in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education.

That recognition model is changing. On Aug. 29, the Department of Education announced it is discontinuing the National Blue Ribbon Schools program. For decades, the federal government set the criteria while states nominated schools.

Going forward, states will take full control of recognizing excellence in education, in line with President Donald Trump’s push to return education authority to the states.

“States and associations are encouraged to recognize their nominees for 2025 and creatively fashion new recognition programs to celebrate excellence in their communities,” the department said in its announcement.

Ted Beasley with the Louisiana Department of Education said Louisiana already has ways to highlight success, such as the Louisiana Models of Excellence initiative. This initiative honors educators and schools that set strong examples in supporting student success.

“We also have a host of programs that celebrate students, educators, and support staff,” Beasley said.

Latest News