Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
G. W. Carver Elementary School has been formally recognized as a Virginia Blue Ribbon School by the Virginia Board of Education, following the school’s nomination to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program by the Virginia Department of Education.
Although the U.S. Department of Education discontinued the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program in August 2025 because of federal budget reductions, the Virginia Board of Education acted to preserve the tradition of recognizing high-performing schools. On Jan. 8, 2026, the board adopted a Resolution of Recognition honoring Virginia schools that had been nominated for the 2025 program.
Since its creation in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored schools nationwide for overall academic excellence and for progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups. G. W. Carver Elementary was nominated in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing category, which recognizes schools demonstrating significant improvement in reading and mathematics outcomes for historically underserved students.
At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Salem City School Board formally recognized G. W. Carver Elementary School for being selected as a Virginia Blue Ribbon School and commended the school community for its dedication to educational excellence. Board members also cited the accomplishments and performance of the school’s students, faculty, staff and leadership in advancing academic achievement and reducing achievement gaps.