On Friday, September 16th, the U.S. Department of Education recognized 297 schools as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 15 of which are public charter schools. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.”
Nina Rees, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, said: Congratulations to all the schools, and especially the 15 public charter schools, that earned this year’s National Blue Ribbon recognition. When charter schools were introduced to public education about 30 years ago, the goal was to provide a high-quality, free education to historically underrepresented students and close achievement gaps. I am proud that the 15 charter schools in this year’s cohort are celebrated for their work in serving the families in their community with an excellent education.”
The following charter schools were recognized as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools:
- Mazada Charter School (Colorado City, Arizona)
- Colfax Charter Elementary School (Valley Village, California)
- Helix High School (La Mesa, California)
- DC Preparatory Academy Benning Elementary Campus (Washington, D.C.)
- Sela Public Charter School (Washington, D.C.)
- Pioneer Charter School of Science II (Saugus, Massachusetts)
- Seven Hills Preparatory Academy (Bloomington, Minnesota)
- The Birches Academy of Academic and Art Chartered Public School (Salem, New Hampshire)
- Albuquerque School of Excellence (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- ICAHN Charter School 2 (Bronx, New York)
- New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math & Science II (Bronx, New York)
- South Bronx Classical Charter III (Bronx, New York)
- Southeastern Academy (Lumberton, North Carolina)
- Brashier Middle College Charter High School (Simpsonville, South Carolina)
- Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute (Grand Prairie, Texas)
In a new report, Never Going Back: An Analysis of Parent Sentiment on Education, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools examined results from a survey of more than 5,000 parents conducted by The Harris Poll in May 2022. The report indicates that support for public charter schools is high among parents.
- Parents who chose to send their children to public charter schools report that they did so because charter schools exhibited characteristics of higher quality instruction (54%), smaller school and class sizes (47%), and better safety (47%).
- Eighty-nine percent of parents whose children have switched school types report that they or their child experienced a positive change as a result of the switch—namely that their child is happier (57%).
- Seventy-four percent of parents would consider sending their child to a public charter school if one were available in their area.
- Even among those who might not choose a charter school for their child, 84% agree that charter schools should be available to families who would choose them.
- Seventy-seven percent of parents want more public charter school offerings in their area. This is consistent across political affiliation.
- Eighty-one percent of parents support expanding the number of slots in existing public charter schools in their area.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said the following on this year’s winners: “As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”
