General Assembly Honors Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools

General Assembly Honors Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools

March 5, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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General Assembly Honors Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools

BALTIMORE (March 5, 2026) — Today, the 2025-2026 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools were honored with official floor recognitions in Annapolis by the Maryland General Assembly. State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright and Archdiocese of Baltimore Superintendent Sister Patricia McCarron attended the recognition event held by the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate to celebrate the honorees’ achievements.

Last fall, Gov. Wes Moore reinstated the Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools Program after the U.S. Department of Education discontinued the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. The seven public and parochial school honorees were nominated for national recognition before the program ended:

• Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Baltimore City Public Schools
• Stoneleigh Elementary School Baltimore County Public Schools
• Myersville Elementary School Frederick County Public Schools
• Diamond Elementary School Wilson Wims Elementary School Montgomery County Public Schools
• St. Louis School Archdiocese of Baltimore
• Little Flower School Archdiocese of Washington “This is an inspiring day as we honor schools that are truly leading the way,” said Dr. Wright. “These Blue Ribbon Schools exemplify excellence in teaching and learning, as well as the determination and resilience that drive student success. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments.”

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Little Flower and St. Louis were recognized in the Exemplary High Performing category based on outstanding academic performance on national and state assessments. Wilson Wims Elementary was recognized in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing category for narrowing performance disparities between different student groups. Diamond, Myersville and Stoneleigh were recognized in both categories.

Only public schools were eligible for recognition under the former Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which ended after the 2019-2020 school year. Through the new program, MSDE will work in partnership with the Archdioceses of Baltimore, Washington, and Wilmington, Del., to recognize Maryland schools for high academic achievement and outstanding progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups.

“What a privilege to be at our Statehouse to recognize so many wonderful schools,” said Sister McCarron. “We are so grateful to the state of Maryland for including and recognizing the great work that happens in our Catholic schools.”

All honorees will receive a Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools banner, flag, and award citations.

2025-2026 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City Public Schools

Founded in 1883, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (“Poly”) serves students from every zip code across Baltimore City. Known for its academic rigor and strong STEM focus, Poly attracts motivated, intellectually-curious students who thrive in a challenging academic environment supported by a collaborative culture. Poly combines college-level rigor with a wide range of extracurricular activities, athletics, and unique hands-on learning experiences, all aimed at cultivating well-rounded leaders of the future.

Diamond Elementary School, Montgomery County Public Schools

Diamond Elementary opened its doors 50 years ago in September 1975. Located in Gaithersburg, the pre-kindergarten through fifth grade school serves approximately 658 students from over 50 countries. The school motto, “Excellence Through Effort,” embodies its focus on respect, responsibility, and safety. Diamond Elementary is driven to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally by fostering an environment that encourages active participation, critical thinking, and meaningful learning experiences.

Myersville Elementary School, Frederick County Public Schools

Nestled in the rural heart of Frederick County, Myersville Elementary is the cornerstone of a close-knit community. Serving over 400 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school fosters a nurturing, supportive environment where academic excellence and social-emotional development go hand in hand. What sets Myersville apart is its unwavering commitment to student growth, guided by the school’s motto: “Learning to Be the Best We Can Be.”

Stoneleigh Elementary School, Baltimore County Public Schools

Stoneleigh Elementary in Towson proudly serves approximately 640 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade, representing a diverse community of learners. There is an intentional focus on meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of every student. The school’s mission is to uphold high academic standards, value intellectual risk-taking, and foster a safe, nurturing, and supportive atmosphere by creating a collaborative learning environment.

Wilson Wims Elementary School, Montgomery County Public Schools

Wilson Wims Elementary, a diverse and inclusive community in Clarksburg, works to inspire every student to thrive academically and socially while fostering a culture of continuous growth. Growth is at the heart of the Wims culture and celebrated through the school’s P.R.I.D.E. program that establishes its core principles. Wims takes an innovative approach to elevate student performance by deepening understanding of content and engaging students through meaningful instruction.

St. Louis School, Archdiocese of Baltimore

St. Louis School in Clarksville serves students from preschool through eighth grade, cultivating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Academically, students consistently perform above the Archdiocese average on standardized assessments. Notably, St. Louis has five Knott Scholars currently enrolled, more than any other Archdiocesan school, a prestigious recognition of academic achievement and promise. These accomplishments highlight the strength of the instructional program and the commitment of faculty to each student’s growth.

Little Flower School, Archdiocese of Washington

Little Flower is a vibrant and inclusive school community in Bethesda where students grow spiritually, academically, and personally. With approximately 290 students, the school fosters a nurturing environment where each child is known, valued, and guided. Known for cultivating lasting friendships and a strong sense of community, Little Flower School stands as a beacon of learning, faith, and service to others—shaping students who are confident, compassionate, and well-prepared for the future.