These state and national programs recognize high-achieving and improving schools.  At the state level, the Gold Star Schools Program is the recognition program administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  The rigorous criteria of the Missouri Gold Star Schools program is aligned with the National Blue Ribbon Schools program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

Missouri’s Gold Star Schools program is designed to identify schools that are performing at a high level academically or making exceptional progress.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students' levels of achievement.

It has been referred to as the "Oscar" of school awards and is the highest honor in the nation a school can receive.

To learn more, visit the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education's website, click here.