A Southern California elementary school nominated for one of the nation's highest educational honors found itself at the center of a policy shift when the federal government abruptly canceled the 40-year-old award program. Despite the setback, the school community organized its own celebration to recognize the significant academic achievements of its students.
Lucille J. Smith Elementary in the Lawndale Elementary School District was one of 31 schools in California nominated for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon School award. The nomination specifically highlighted the school's success in closing achievement gaps among its diverse student population. However, the U.S. Department of Education discontinued the program in late August, a decision that left educators and parents disappointed but undeterred.
Key Takeaways
- Lucille J. Smith Elementary was nominated for the National Blue Ribbon award for its success in closing achievement gaps.
- The U.S. Department of Education canceled the 40-year-old program in August 2025, citing a return of recognition to state levels.
- The school, with strong parent and community support, held its own celebration to honor the students' and teachers' hard work.
- The school saw double-digit increases in math and reading scores, significantly outpacing state averages.
A Nomination Earned Through Hard Work
The National Blue Ribbon School program, established in 1982, has long been considered a premier recognition for American schools. Smith Elementary earned its nomination by placing in the top 15% of California schools for its progress in closing educational disparities. Principal Cristal Moore, an educator in the district for 30 years, spent her spring break completing the detailed 25-page application that showcased the school's unique environment and success.
The school serves a community of 331 students, making it the smallest in its district. The student body is predominantly Latino (71%) and has one of the district's largest concentrations of Black students (16%). A third of the students are English language learners, and most qualify for free or reduced-price meals, an indicator of low-income households.
Remarkable Academic Gains
While California's statewide test scores in reading and math saw a modest 1.8 percentage point increase last school year, Smith Elementary reported staggering gains. The school saw a 32.5 point increase in math scores and a 27.4 point increase in reading and writing scores across all students.
Principal Moore noted that a key factor in their success was ensuring no demographic group, including students from low-income families, scored more than 10 percentage points below the school's overall average.
Strategies for Student Success
The school's achievements are the result of targeted strategies designed to support every child. These methods include small group instruction at least twice a week and dedicated meetings with students both before and after school hours.
A central component of their approach is the school's "learning lab," a dedicated space for ongoing teacher development. The walls of the room display cards for each student, complete with their photo, test scores, and specific needs, such as whether they are an English learner or have a disability.
"Historically, student data was treated as private, often eliciting anxiety or fear of judgment," Moore wrote in the school's application. "At Smith, we have worked to dismantle that mindset, reinforcing that data is a snapshot, not a final destination."
This visual system allows educators to quickly identify students who need extra support and to celebrate their progress. Moore believes this approach helps build a culture where data is used for growth, not judgment.
An Unexpected Cancellation
The news that the Blue Ribbon program was ending came as a shock. The Department of Education confirmed the cancellation in the same week the school had expected to learn if it had won. A department spokesperson later explained the decision was made "in the spirit of returning education to the states," suggesting local leaders are better equipped to recognize school excellence.
For past winners, the national scope of the award was essential to its prestige. The cancellation also meant the removal of the program's website, erasing a national record of over 9,000 schools that had received the honor since its inception.
Sunny Tamrakar, a parent and the PTA treasurer at Smith Elementary, was one of the first to learn of the decision. "I'm not gonna lie, I was pissed. Really just furious," Tamrakar said. He described the move as "unnecessary, painful and disheartening."
The Power of Community Action
Refusing to let the federal decision overshadow the school's accomplishments, Tamrakar took action. He contacted the district superintendent, local elected officials, and media outlets. "Let's fight for this," he recalled telling them. "Our kids deserve this. The staff deserves this. The parents deserve this."
A Celebration of Resilience
Driven by community spirit, the Smith Elementary PTA allocated approximately $1,000 to host its own celebration. A local vendor provided custom T-shirts at cost, and families gathered in the school courtyard for an event filled with food, decorations, and a strong sense of pride.
Superintendent Virginia Castro addressed the attendees, affirming the school's achievements. "We're not gonna let the administration and the current political climate [put a damper on] the great gains that this community [achieved]," she said.
Parents at the event shared stories of the school's supportive environment. Monique Landrum, whose daughter is in kindergarten, spoke of the staff's genuine care. "From the principal to the teachers to the staff, everyone here is amazing," Landrum said. "They actually care about the children and their success."
Jessica Schilling, a special education teacher at Smith for six years, acknowledged the disappointment but focused on the lasting impact of their work. "It's disappointing to hear that what's happening at the federal level is not supportive of what we're doing here," she stated. "That said, to me, the honor remains. ā¦ I see that what we're doing here is valuable and important."
Following the local planning, the California Department of Education also announced it would formally recognize the state's 2025 Blue Ribbon nominees. For Principal Moore, the celebration was a moment to reflect before continuing the work. She plans to double the amount of small group instruction in English and math, focusing on persistent gaps for English learners and students with disabilities.
"We know that progress is sometimes slow, but it requires consistency," Moore said. "We're gonna celebrate... but we're just gonna keep doing what we are doing because I think this is evidence that we're doing great things."