Mississippi has established a Blue Ribbon School program to recognize the state’s highest-performing schools.
State officials created the program at the local level after the national version was terminated by the U.S. Department of Education in August. This state-sponsored program will continue the annual recognition of the state’s highest-performing schools.
The Mississippi Blue Ribbon School designation uses the same criteria for selection as the national program and carries the same level of prestige. The recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance and also those that make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.
Public education centers are recognized as exemplary high-performing schools or exemplary achievement gap-closing schools. Exemplary high-performing schools are among the top performers in the state as measured by state assessments. Exemplary achievement gap-closing schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
The Mississippi Department of Education has selected three schools in 2025 as the state’s inaugural Mississippi Blue Ribbon Schools. Exemplary high-performing schools are Beach Elementary School in Pascagoula and Ocean Springs High School. Meanwhile, Bayou View Elementary School in Gulfport was both an exemplary high-performing and achievement gap-closing education center.
“[The Mississippi Department of Education] is proud to continue the longstanding tradition of recognizing outstanding schools that serve as models for the state and nation,” Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education, said. “Congratulations to the students, educators, families, and communities of the inaugural Mississippi Blue Ribbon Schools for earning the state’s top recognition for achievement.”
Mississippi’s 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools were selected based on student performance data, including assessment results, pupil subgroup performance, and graduation rates. Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.
