Connecticut State Department of Education

06/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us today at Conard High School to celebrate Connecticut’s 2026 Blue Ribbon Schools and recognize six outstanding public schools for their excellence in academic achievement and student success:

🏅 Great Oak Elementary School, Oxford

🏅 Nathan Hale School, Meriden

🏅 New Lebanon School, Greenwich

🏅 Ridgefield High School, Ridgefield

🏅 Webster Hill School, West Hartford

🏅 Western CT Academy of International Studies Elementary Magnet School, Danbury

A special thank you to Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Board of Education Vice Chair Erin Benham, state and local elected officials, district leaders, educators, families, and community members for joining Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, and Team CSDE in celebrating these remarkable schools.

Our Blue Ribbon Schools represent what is possible when school staff, families, and communities come together to ensure every student has the opportunity to unlock their lifelong potential. Congratulations to all six schools on this well-deserved recognition!

To learn more about these remarkable schools, go to: https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/05-2026/governor-lamont-and-commissioner-russell-tucker-announce-the-2026-connecticut-blue-ribbon-schools

05/29/2026

Local businesses, if you'd like to provide discounts to school staff over the summer, consider opting-in to our 5th Annual School Staff Appreciation Digital Backpack Program! https://portal.ct.gov/digitalbackpack

05/29/2026

Local businesses, if you’d like to provide discounts to school staff over the summer, consider opting-in to our 5th Annual School Staff Appreciation Digital Backpack Program! Link in our bio at .ct

05/27/2026

Great news! This past April, CT recorded its lowest chronic absenteeism rate on record for this point in a school year.

Rates also dropped from 17.2% in March to 16.7% in April, with gains across nearly all student groups.

Let’s finish the year strong, in school, every day.

05/27/2026

Great news! This past April, CT recorded its lowest chronic absenteeism rate on record for this point in a school year.

Rates also dropped from 17.2% in March to 16.7% in April, with gains across nearly all student groups.

Let's finish the year strong, in school, every day.

05/11/2026

05/05/2026

Thank you, teachers, and

05/05/2026

THANK YOU, teachers, and Happy !

05/04/2026

In honor of , we're encouraging businesses to participate in the 5th Annual School Staff Appreciation Digital Backpack Program by opting-in to provide discounts to school staff over the summer https://portal.ct.gov/digitalbackpack

04/29/2026

Connecticut students continue to build momentum in attendance, with March marking the LOWEST CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM RATE for this point in the school year on record. At 17.2%, this is an improvement from 17.6% in Feb. and down significantly from 19.3% as of last March.

This continued year-over-year progress reflects sustained, statewide efforts to keep students connected, engaged, and on track for success.

Let’s finish the year strong! In school, together, every day!