15 N.J. schools named as national 'Blue Ribbon' winners
By Jeanette Rundquist/The Star-Ledger
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Students at Morris County School of Technology learned about Monster Jam truck technology in June. The vocational-technical school in Denville was one of 15 New Jersey schools named as "National Blue Ribbon" schools today.
(Star-Ledger file photo)
Plus: 11 New Jersey schools make 2014 Blue Ribbon list
Fifteen New Jersey schools are among 286 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2013, named today by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Five Catholic schools, six county vocational-technical schools and a Yeshiva are among the list of honored schools in New Jersey.
Also named as 2013 Blue Ribbon Schools were Dover, Harrison and Wildwood high schools.
Schools were named to the national list because of their overall academic excellence, or their progress in improving academic achievement.
"National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education," Duncan said in a prepared statement.
Howard Lerner, president of the New Jersey Council of Vocational-Technical Schools and superintendent of the Bergen County Technical Schools, called it the "most prestigious honor in the United States' education system."
The vo-tech schools honored this year are High Tech High School in North Bergen; Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics & Engineering Technology in Edison; Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Sandy Hook; Morris County School of Technology in Denville; Academy for Information Technology in Scotch Plains; and Union County Magnet High School in Scotch Plains.
Blue Ribbon honors also went to Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock; Aquinas Academy in Livingston; Immaculate Conception School in Annandale, Clinton Township; Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison; St. Francis Academy in Union City; and St. Rose of Lima Academy in Short Hills.
Scores of other New Jersey schools have also been named Blue Ribbon schools since the program began 31 years ago. Altogether, nearly 7,500 schools in the country have received the honor.
Schools are nominated by top education officials in each state, and nominated schools submit an application for possible recognition.
• Schools in Mendham and Stirling receive Blue Ribbon Award
• 14 N.J. schools earn National Blue Ribbon Award
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