2 area schools win national honor

Two local schools have been named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Chesapeake Public Schools’ Edwin W. Chittum Elementary School and Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School in Virginia Beach received the honor with eight other Virginia schools. Public schools are recognized in one of two categories: their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments. Private schools have their own category and are selected from nominations made by the Council for American Private Education.

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a news release Tuesday. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

Chesapeake Superintendent Jared Cotton said the national recognition is a result of the hard work and dedication of Chittum staff, students and parents.

“We are fortunate to have so many great schools in Chesapeake, and Chittum is a powerful example of what happens when everyone works together to support all students,” Cotton said in a news release.

Chittum was recognized in the category of “Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools.”

About 350 schools were selected for the honor in 2023, the program’s 40th year.

According to its school profile page on the National Blue Ribbon Schools website, Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School serves students in preschool through eighth grade. The profile highlights the school’s growth mindset, use of technology, work towards closing the achievement gap and focus on social well-being.