Graves County Central Elementary School has earned one of the nation’s top educational honors, being named a National Blue Ribbon School — one of only four schools in Kentucky to receive the distinction this year. The school will be formally recognized during the Kentucky Board of Education meeting on December 4.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, recognizes exemplary schools each year for outstanding academic achievement and progress. According to the Kentucky Department of Education, the designation is based on several criteria, including overall student performance, subgroup achievement, and graduation rates.
Typically, recognized schools would be honored at an in-person ceremony in Washington, D.C. — a tradition that has spanned more than 40 years. However, federal officials ended the national ceremony this year before honorees were announced. State officials learned of the change in August, as schools nationwide were completing the application process.
Despite the change, Kentucky education leaders remain committed to celebrating the achievement.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools raised the bar for our nation and our state’s students and have served as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration,” said Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher. “We are proud of these students for their achievements, as well as the schools, staff, families, and communities for being ‘All In’ for the students.”
Alongside Graves County Central Elementary, the other Kentucky schools receiving the honor this year are Tamarack Elementary in Daviess County, and Maxwell Immersion Spanish Elementary and Meadowthorpe Elementary in Fayette County.
