Nine New Jersey schools districts on Thursday were named National Blue Ribbon Schools, one of the highest honors given by the U.S. Department of Education.

The award honors the highest performing schools and the schools making the must progress toward closing achievement gaps on standardized tests. This year, 312 public schools and 50 private schools from across the country were named Blue Ribbon Schools.

“As a National Blue Ribbon School, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning,” U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the winning schools.

The winning public schools from New Jersey are:

• Communications High School, Monmouth County Vocational School District
• Edith A. Bogert Elementary School, Upper Saddle River School District
• Infinity Institute, Jersey City Public Schools
• Joseph D. Sharp Elementary School, Cherry Hill Township School District
• Little Falls School Number 3, Little Falls Township Public Schools
• Mendham Township Elementary School, Mendham Township School District
• Radix Elementary School, Monroe Township Public Schools District
• Terence C. Reilly School No. 7, Elizabeth School District
• Washington Elementary, School, Westfield Public Schools

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