The Mississippi State Board of Education on Dec. 18 recognized three inaugural Mississippi Blue Ribbon Schools, a new state designation created after the U.S. Department of Education ended the national program earlier this year.

Bayou View Elementary in Gulfport, Beach Elementary in the Pascagoula‑Gautier district, and Ocean Springs High School received plaques, flags and gubernatorial proclamations. MDE staff said the state program uses the same selection criteria as the prior national award and that schools may be recognized for high performance, closing achievement gaps or both.

At Bayou View, Principal Tess Lawrence joined district and school staff at the front of the boardroom as the department highlighted the school’s reported outcomes: an A rating for the district school community, nearly 700 students in K–5, sustained gains in state accountability scores, strong science results, and repeated third‑grade reading proficiency cited by the department. Lawrence and school representatives thanked MDE and the board for the recognition.

Beach Elementary Principal Jennifer Jones, who said this is her first year at the school, credited the previous principal and teachers for the school’s longstanding A rating and for rising kindergarten reading scores and third‑grade pass rates. Ocean Springs Principal Dr. Jacob Dykes called the award “a state championship” and praised district leadership, staff and community volunteers who support college readiness and arts programs.

The board’s recognition underscores MDE's intention to continue highlighting school models that combine academic outcomes with community involvement and supports. The department said the Blue Ribbon awards will include a plaque, a flag to fly at each school, and a formal proclamation from the governor.