Skaneateles Middle School Named National Blue Ribbon School for 2022

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 297 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022, including Skaneateles Middle School. The Middle School was recognized as an Exemplary High-Performing School, measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Only twenty schools in New York were named National Blue Ribbon Schools this year.
 
Skaneateles Middle School’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School would not be possible without such a caring community supportive of the academic, social and emotional growth of its students. Those students, guided by a highly talented, dedicated staff and supportive families, are to be commended for their outstanding achievements.
 
“Our Middle School motto, ‘every good beginning and end deserves a great middle,’ is celebrated today,” said Michael Caraccio, Middle School Principal at the time of nomination and current High School Principal. “Our team focus has been on relationships since day one. That focus and the interactions in our hallways, classrooms, at events and activities enhanced our culture. Together we build meaningful relationships with our colleagues, our students and their families. Those relationships foster an enjoyable, welcoming atmosphere to work and learn. It is the bedrock for an environment that is conducive to high levels of student achievement.”
 
“This is a huge accomplishment and a testament to all of the hard work and dedication that our team gives to our students and their families every day,” said current Middle School Principal Michael Olley. “We will be having a much larger celebration soon.” 
 
“We are so proud of our students, families, faculty, staff and administration for the dedication, hard work and collaboration required to create a school community and learning environment worthy of national recognition,” said Superintendent Eric Knuth. “It is an especially great day to be a Laker!”
 
“I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”
 
With its 39th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement.
 
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.  
 
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.