First Class: South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota’s Blue Ribbon Schools

We're just a few weeks into the 2024-25 school year, but several Tri-State area schools are already being recognized as being among the best of the best in America.

16 South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota are on the country's just-released list of 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools.

Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has honored outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.

In South Dakota, three elementary schools (two public, one private) and one high school (public) made the cut:

• Christ The King School Elementary - Sioux Falls (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Lennox Elementary School - Lennox (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Lincoln Elementary School - Aberdeen (Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School category)
• Warner High School - Warner (Exemplary High Performing School category)

In Iowa, five public schools (two elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school) made the cut:

• Alta-Aurelia Middle School - Aurelia (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Decorah High School - Decorah (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Nodaway Valley Middle School - Fontanelle (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Rock Run Elementary School - Iowa Falls (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Rock Valley Elementary School - Rock Valley(Exemplary High Performing School category)

In Minnesota, seven public schools (four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school) made the cut:

• Caledonia High School - Caledonia (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Chippewa Middle School - North Oaks (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• Franklin Elementary School - Mankato (HP and GAP category)
• Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School - Hills (Exemplary High Performing School category)
• James Knoll Elementary School - Ortonville (Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School category)
• Oakwood Elementary School - Plymouth (HP and GAP category)
• Pioneer Elementary School - Pierz (Exemplary High Performing School category)

In all, 356 schools in 46 states were honored this year.

Public schools are nominated by the Chief State School Officer in each state. Private schools are nominated by The Council for American Private Education (CAPE).