Connecticut, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Four Connecticut schools have been awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon designation for their outstanding achievements in education. Recognized for their significant success in student learning, these schools include HALS Academy, Gildersleeve School, Green Acres Elementary, and Weston Intermediate School. Despite the federal program’s termination, Connecticut emphasizes the importance of acknowledging excellence in public education and celebrating the accomplishments of its institutions.
Connecticut – Four schools in Connecticut have received the prestigious Blue Ribbon designation this week, highlighting their impressive achievements in student learning. This recognition honors schools that showcase significant success in education despite the recent termination of the federal Blue Ribbon program by the Trump administration in August 2023.
The schools receiving the Blue Ribbon designations include the House of Arts, Letters, and Science (HALS) Academy in New Britain, Gildersleeve School in Portland, Green Acres Elementary School in North Haven, and Weston Intermediate School in Weston. Connecticut’s State Board of Education Vice Chair Erin Benham conveyed a sense of pride in the accomplishments of these four schools.
In September, Governor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut would officially honor the four schools that were selected by the federal Department of Education for the Blue Ribbon designation. The recognized schools excelled in various criteria, being acknowledged in categories such as Exemplary High-Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. Notably, three of the awarded institutions were acknowledged in both categories, underscoring their comprehensive success.
The nomination for the Blue Ribbon designation was based on data collected through Connecticut’s next-generation accountability system. This system goes beyond standard test scores to assess a student’s overall success, incorporating multiple dimensions of educational achievement.
Amidst cuts to federal programs, Connecticut’s leadership emphasized the importance of celebrating excellence in public education. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz underlined the significance of recognizing the accomplishments of local public schools during such challenging times.
Portland Superintendent Charles Britton mentioned the considerable impact of the School Improvement Grant on Gildersleeve School, allowing the school to enhance staffing and improve educational outcomes effectively. This evidence of investment directly correlates with the achievement awards received.
Former principal of Weston Intermediate School, Patti Falber, highlighted the importance of acknowledging academic excellence, noting that such recognitions not only celebrate individual schools but also inspire broader community pride and educational efforts.
Additionally, the recognition extends to Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden, which is celebrated for its achievement in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing category. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, a Meriden native with an extensive background in Connecticut’s education system, is scheduled to visit the school to commemorate its Blue Ribbon recognition on a separate occasion.
This week’s recognition underscores the commitment of Connecticut’s educational institutions to providing high-quality education to their students, celebrating both academic performance and the closing of achievement gaps among different student populations.
Key Features of the Blue Ribbon Schools in Connecticut
| School Name | Category |
|---|---|
| HALS Academy, New Britain | Exemplary High-Performing |
| Gildersleeve School, Portland | Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing |
| Green Acres Elementary, North Haven | Exemplary High-Performing |
| Weston Intermediate School | Exemplary High-Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing |
| Israel Putnam Elementary, Meriden | Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing |
FAQ
What are the Blue Ribbon designations?
The Blue Ribbon designations recognize schools that achieve significant academic success, showcasing high levels of student performance or significant improvements in closing achievement gaps.
Which Connecticut schools received Blue Ribbon designations this year?
The schools awarded the Blue Ribbon designations include HALS Academy in New Britain, Gildersleeve School in Portland, Green Acres Elementary in North Haven, and Weston Intermediate School in Weston.
Why was the federal Blue Ribbon program ended?
The federal Blue Ribbon program was ended by the Trump administration in August 2023, impacting how schools could be recognized at the national level.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chamlian Armenian School Students Protest Blue Ribbon Program Cancellation
Additional Resources
- CT News Junkie
- Wikipedia: Blue Ribbon Schools Program
- CT Insider
- Google Search: Blue Ribbon Schools Connecticut
- WFSB
- Google Scholar: Connecticut education awards
- Fox 61
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- CT Post
- Google News: Connecticut schools recognition
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