The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the 353 schools that earned the coveted National Blue Ribbon Award for 2023, setting a shining example for educational institutions across the nation.

Among this select group, seven schools from Massachusetts emerged victorious, proudly displaying their commitment to fostering academic excellence, inclusive environments, and innovative approaches toward educating young minds according to U.S. Department of Education.

These exceptional schools from the Bay State include Andover West Middle School (Andover Public Schools), Tahanto Regional High School (Berlin-Boylston Regional School District), Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School (Benjamin Banneker Charter Public), Hopedale Junior Senior High School (Hopedale Public Schools), Sturgis Charter Public School (Sturgis Charter Public), Manomet Elementary School (Plymouth Public Schools), and John F. Kennedy School (Somerville Public Schools).

Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School serves 350 students in grade K1 – 6 and is a top performing school in ELA, Math and Science. Banneker has received much recognition in the past few years for the outstanding results of students on the Massachusetts annual state assessment called the MCAS.