Spring Hill Elementary School has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The Fairfax County public school is among three schools in Virginia and 356 schools in the country receiving the honor this year.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes high-performing schools and schools making exemplary progress toward closing achievement gaps. Spring Hill was commended as an Exemplary High Performing School based on high achievements in reading and mathematics during the 2022-23 school year. 

More specifically, Spring Hill ranks highly in overall reading and mathematics performance, and its performance rate for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and white, Black, Hispanic, and Asian students. 

"Spring Hill truly is a big school, with a small community feel, and a big heart,” Principal Amy Briggs said. “We are dedicated to the notion that every child's journey as a lifelong learner is varied and, at times, must be nurtured individually. Teachers work together to ensure that every individual child reaches his or her full academic potential.”

The school includes families representing more than 52 birth countries and speaking over 43 languages. As their vision statement says: Spring Hill is an international and welcoming community where all learners come to grow. We foster joy and a love of learning through rigorous, inclusive, and innovative learning experiences to elevate global thinkers for their future.

Principal Briggs credits parents, staff, and community volunteers with helping the school and its students succeed. “Parents and staff members share a common commitment to help students develop and grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically,” she says. 

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a press release. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

Spring Hill was also awarded the Highest Achievement Award for Academic Excellence by the Virginia Department of Education in 2023 based on its consistently high Standards of Learning (SOL) scores over the last several years.