By: Richard L. Smith
Image Credit: Homes.com
Glen Ridge’s Ridgewood Avenue School has earned a place among eleven schools statewide recognized with the 2025 New Jersey Blue Ribbon Schools Award, a distinction that celebrates academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps.
According to a statement released by the New Jersey Department of Education, the selected schools represent the highest standards of teaching, learning, and community collaboration across the state.
Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said the award highlights what’s possible when educators, students, and communities work together to create opportunities for all learners.
He noted that each Blue Ribbon school either maintains consistently strong academic results or shows exceptional progress in promoting equity.
The announcement came during the State Board of Education meeting, where Board President Kathy Goldenberg congratulated the honorees for their “outstanding achievements and dedication to student success.”
This year’s recognition follows the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to discontinue its long-running National Blue Ribbon Program.
New Jersey, however, opted to continue celebrating schools already chosen before the federal change.
2025 Blue Ribbon Public Schools include:
Ventnor Elementary School, Ventnor City School District, Atlantic County
Roosevelt School, Lodi School District, Bergen County
Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro, Bergen County Vocational Technical School District
Mansion Avenue School, Audubon Public School District, Camden County
Ridgewood Avenue School, Glen Ridge Public School District, Essex County
Liberty High School, Jersey City Public Schools, Hudson County
Littlebrook School, Princeton Public School District, Mercer County
Hatikvah International Academy Charter School, Middlesex County
Indian Hill School, Holmdel Township School District, Monmouth County
Two nonpublic schools were also honored this year.
More information is available on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools webpage.