Governor Moore Names 23 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools
The annual designation honors schools across the state for high academic performance and success in closing achievement gaps.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Governor Wes Moore has named 23 Maryland schools as 2026-2027 Blue Ribbon Schools, marking a significant increase from the seven schools honored last year. The program recognizes educational institutions for their high scores on state and national assessments.
Why it matters
This initiative highlights Maryland schools that demonstrate excellence in student learning and effective strategies for closing achievement gaps. The state program aims to set a benchmark for academic success and provide recognition for schools meeting rigorous standards.
A total of 23 schools were named to the 2026-2027 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools list, a significant rise from the 7 schools recognized the previous year. These schools were selected for high performance on state and national testing.
The players
Wes Moore
Wes Moore is the Governor of Maryland who oversees state educational policies and recognition programs.
Maryland State Board of Education
The Maryland State Board of Education is the state agency responsible for setting educational standards and governing the Blue Ribbon program.
The details
The list includes six schools within Montgomery County, such as Beverly Farms Elementary, Somerset Elementary, and Travilah Elementary. Additionally, three schools from the Archdiocese of Washington and Urbana Middle School in Frederick County received the designation.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Governor Wes Moore announced the 2026-2027 Blue Ribbon schools.
2025: Seven schools were recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools.
December 8, 2026: Schools will be formally recognized at a board meeting.
Culture Shift
This program aligns with the national trend of emphasizing school accountability through the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. It reflects a growing societal focus on identifying and incentivizing institutional excellence in secondary education.
Families with students at the recognized schools may see an increase in local prestige and community pride regarding their educational institutions. The designation helps parents identify schools that have demonstrated consistent success in closing student achievement gaps.
The takeaway
Recognized schools are models for academic achievement and equitable student support within the state. Families can use these results to better understand the performance landscape of schools in their local districts.
What happens next
The 23 designated schools will receive formal recognition during the Maryland State Board of Education meeting on December 8, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the criteria for school recognition in Maryland Secondary Education.
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