G.W. Carver Engineering and Science High School in Philadelphia serves more than 900 students and was founded nearly 40 years ago to create opportunities for college and career readiness for students traditionally underrepresented in the engineering and medical fields. The STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) school has two engineering labs, three computer labs, offers 15 Advanced Placement courses and several extracurricular activities, including chess, debate and robotics. Aimed to prepare students with the academic and personal skills to succeed in college, the school has a 100 percent college acceptance rate among students.

G.W. Carver was one of 362 public and private schools in the nation to recently receive a 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award. The honor was awarded based on overall academic excellence or for success in closing achievement gaps among disadvantaged students.

“We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a video message to the honorees. “As a National Blue Ribbon School, your school demonstrates what is possible when committed educators hold all students and staff to high standards and create vibrant, innovative cultures of teaching and learning.”

In addition to G. W. Carver in Philadelphia, big-city schools in Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Denver, Washington, D.C., Miami, Hawaii, Louisville, Omaha, Las Vegas, Reno, Albuquerque, Buffalo, New York City, Memphis, Houston, Dallas and Florida’s Broward County Public Schools also were named Blue Ribbon schools.

Anchorage, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Miami, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Memphis and Houston each had two schools recognized, while Denver and Dallas had three, and New York City had four schools awarded.

Schools were selected for the Blue Ribbon award program based on one of two criteria:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

In November, the 362 National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has honored more than 9,000 National Blue Ribbon schools.