Sadie Batchis (284)
Staff Writer

The U.S. Department of Education named Central High School a National Blue Ribbon School on September 23, 2024. Central was one of the only 356 schools in the country and thirteen schools in Pennsylvania who won the award this year. 

In celebration on September 23rd, Central teachers and seniors gathered on the south lawn and listened to President Katherine Davis and Superintendent Tony Watlington announced the achievement. Watlington said, “I am elated to celebrate the hard work of the president, teachers, students, and their families at Central. This national recognition is a point of pride and a testament to the academic excellence within our District.” President Davis expressed how honored Central is to have received this award, emphasizing that the school “strive[s] to build a community that values student voice and leadership” and “wholeheartedly believe[s] in the power of young adults to positively impact our local and global community.” 

The National Blue Ribbon Program, started in 1982, recognizes elementary and secondary schools based on academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps among students. Academic excellence is classified by state and national standardized testing scores.

This is not the first time Central has earned the prestigious Blue Ribbon award. Central was also given a Blue Ribbon in 1987 and 2011. This achievement is an important recognition of not only Central High School, but the School District of Philadelphia as a whole. It is especially poignant for an urban school like Central to receive this great honor.