According to a press release dated Oct. 18, 2023, the nine honorees, all leaders of schools in the 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools cohort, will be officially recognized at an awards ceremony scheduled for next month.

In the same press release, Secretary Cardona emphasized the need of having strong school leadership by stating, “great principals play a pivotal role in building thriving school communities and empowering teachers to meet the diverse needs of every student. As recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award, you have served as catalysts, fostering positive school cultures, and finding new ways to engage students, parents, families, educators, and staff. You continue to Raise the Bar as school leaders, and your dedication inspires others to bring their best each day. The prestigious Bell Award is our way of recognizing and celebrating your hard work and indispensable leadership.”

According to the announcement that was made in the press release, the Terrel H. Bell Award is named after the second Secretary of Education for the United States. This prize was established to celebrate outstanding school administrators who view education as a means for bringing about societal transformation as well as individual liberation. The recipients of the awards are chosen through an application competition and are presented with their accolades by a consortium of national education organizations.

On the list of 2023 grantees that is included in the news release, some of the states that are represented include California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These are only some of the states. This honor is a monument to the positive impact that each of them has had on the communities that make up their various schools, and it serves as an example of their commitment to raising the bar for education all over the country.