Bells Mill Elementary School in Potomac and Woodfield Elementary School in Gaithersburg were named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Secretary of Education Monday.
They were two of four schools in Maryland to receive this honor. The other schools were Chapel Hill Elementary School in Baltimore County and Worthington Elementary in Howard County.
This is the second time for Bells Mill, which also was named a Blue Ribbon School in 1998.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
“The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child,” he said in a news release.
“This prestigious honor reflects their unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching practices, and the cultivation of a supportive learning environment,” said Maryland Board of Education President Dr. Joshua L. Michael.
Approximately 180 Maryland public schools have achieved National Blue Ribbon honors. The program began in 1982 and the first awards were given in 1983.
