Texas Named Two Schools Lone Star Ribbon Winners
Wellington and Mary Allen Elementary schools earned state honors for academic performance and closing achievement gaps.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Do you believe public schools in your area are effectively meeting the needs of all students?
Texas state officials designated Wellington Elementary School and Mary Allen Elementary School as Lone Star Ribbon Schools. This recognition honors public schools for outstanding academic performance and progress in closing achievement gaps.
Why it matters
The program celebrates schools that maintain high academic standards while effectively supporting all student groups. It serves as a benchmark for educational excellence and equity across the state.
Wellington Elementary School and Mary Allen Elementary School were selected as Lone Star Ribbon Schools. Campuses must earn an overall A rating and meet standards for safety, testing integrity, and civil rights compliance to qualify.
The players
Governor Greg Abbott
The current Governor of Texas who established the Lone Star Ribbon Schools program in 2025.
Wellington Elementary School
A public school located in Wellington that was recognized for academic performance.
Mary Allen Elementary School
A public school located in Stratford that was recognized for academic performance.
The details
Schools are selected annually through a quantitative process identifying exceptional academic achievement or success in closing achievement gaps. The program was established by Governor Greg Abbott in 2025 to replace the federal National Blue Ribbon Schools program. This state-led initiative now governs the recognition of high-performing campuses.
Timeline
August 2025: National Blue Ribbon program transitioned to state leadership.
2025: Lone Star Ribbon Schools program established.
September 22, 2026: Schools recognized as Lone Star Ribbon Schools.
The Home Front
The Lone Star Ribbon Schools program replaces the federal National Blue Ribbon Schools program that transitioned to state leadership in 2025. This change shifts school recognition standards from federal criteria to a specific Texas-based accountability model.
Parents should review their local school district's A-rating status on the state accountability dashboard to see how their campus compares to recognized schools. Monitoring these annual designations provides insight into the long-term academic environment and equity efforts within your community.
The takeaway
The Lone Star Ribbon Schools program highlights campuses that excel in academic performance and inclusivity. Families can track their local school's progress by verifying annual A ratings provided by the Texas education accountability system.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic standards in Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4 - Amarillo.
Live Poll
Do you believe public schools in your area are effectively meeting the needs of all students?
