Mount Vernon's East Elementary School has been named one of the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

East Elementary School is among the 353 schools the U.S. Department of Education has recognized for demonstrating exemplary teaching and learning.  

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”

It was in 2014 when East Elementary School was also named a Blue Ribbon School. Today it has once again joined 18 more schools in Ohio recognized for the "school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments." 

"Relationships first is the most instrumental practice that has contributed to East Elementary's continued success. Relationships with our students, their families, our staff and the community has been the foundation of who we are and what we do," East Elementary School stated.  "Team teaching, inclusion, partnerships with local businesses and colleges, and flex grouping are among some of the innovative initiatives implemented that promote collaboration as a high priority at East Elementary. Engaging and motivating our students and providing a positive environment which supports their academic, social and emotional growth and development is an integral part of who we are and how we believe that school should be."   

Below is the complete list of Ohio schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools:  

Akron – Saint Sebastian Parish School, Diocese of Cleveland. 

Ashville – Walnut Elementary School, Teays Valley Local Schools. 

Berlin Center – Western Reserve Elementary School, Western Reserve Local Schools. 

Canal Fulton – Northwest Middle School, Northwest Local School District. 

Chesterland – Robert C Lindsey Elementary School, West Geauga Local Schools. 

Cincinnati – Saint Mary School, Archdiocese of Cincinnati. 

Cincinnati – Walnut Hills High School, Cincinnati Public Schools. 

Fort Recovery – Fort Recovery Middle School, Fort Recovery Local Schools. 

Granville – Granville Middle School, Granville Exempted Village Schools. 

Lakewood – Lakewood Catholic Academy, Diocese of Cleveland. 

Loveland – Saint Margaret of York Elementary School, Archdiocese of Cincinnati. 

Mount Vernon – East Elementary School, Mount Vernon City. 

Parma Heights – Incarnate Word Academy, Diocese of Cleveland. 

Rocky River – Kensington Intermediate School, Rocky River City School District. 

Solon – Orchard Middle School, Solon City Schools. 

Sugarcreek – Ragersville Elementary School, Garaway Local Schools. 

Uniontown – Lake Middle/High School, Lake Local School District. 

Westlake – Saint Bernadette Elementary School, Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. 

Youngstown – Robinwood Lane Elementary School, Boardman Local Schools.

Mount Vernon City School District last received the coveted recognition in 2018. It was when Twin Oak Elementary School was among the 16 Ohio schools recipients of the National Blue Ribbon award.

The U.S. Department of Education instituted the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program in 1982. Since then, it has already granted over 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. Yearly, there are up to 420 nominees for the program. Nominations come from the top education officials in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education upon the invitation of the U.S. Department of Education. Private schools on the other hand are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.