Only Two Montana Schools Earn Blue-Ribbon Honor in Rigorous Statewide Competition

HELENA, MT — Only three Montana high schools met the rigorous academic standards that would have earned them federal Blue-Ribbon recognition this year, with two rural schools ultimately receiving the state’s continued honor after the federal program ended.

Fairfield High School and Malta High School earned Montana’s 2025 Blue-Ribbon designation after ranking in the top 15 percent statewide in math proficiency, English language arts proficiency, and high school graduation rates — the same criteria used by the retired National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program.

“Only three schools met the criteria for Blue Ribbon schools,” said McKenna Gregg, communications director for the Montana Office of Public Instruction. A third qualifying school did not complete its application, leaving the two rural districts as this year’s sole recipients.

The Montana Office of Public Instruction decided to continue recognizing schools that meet Blue-Ribbon standards even after the U.S. Department of Education retired the 43-year-old national program to give states greater flexibility in celebrating educational excellence.

“We are incredibly proud of Fairfield High School and Malta High School for receiving this national distinction,” said Susie Hedalen, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “These schools deserve to be celebrated for the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of their students, educators, and communities.”

The selectivity underscores the genuine achievement these rural schools represent. Of Montana’s approximately 300 public schools, only three high schools reached the top-tier performance benchmarks across multiple academic measures.

Paul Wilson, principal at Fairfield High School, credited his teaching staff for the recognition. “This recognition is a testament to the outstanding educators at Fairfield High School,” Wilson said. “Our teachers excel in their subject knowledge, their ability to connect with and engage students, and their commitment to holding students to the highest standards.”

Malta High School Principal Shawn Bleth emphasized the community partnership behind his school’s success. “Malta High School is very proud to receive this recognition,” Bleth said. “This award is truly a reflection of the professionalism and dedication of our teachers and staff, who work tirelessly every day to support and challenge our students.”

Montana’s decision to maintain Blue-Ribbon recognition reflects a broader trend of state education departments asserting independence from federal oversight. The National Blue-Ribbon Schools Program, established in 1982, recognized schools that demonstrated high academic performance or made significant progress in closing achievement gaps before being discontinued.

Elementary schools were not included in this year’s recognition due to a testing waiver related to the Montana Alternative Student Testing (MAST) pilot program, which is exploring year-round testing alternatives to traditional end-of-year exams.

OPI officials indicated they are having “internal conversations” about establishing a formal annual state Blue-Ribbon program going forward, potentially institutionalizing Montana’s commitment to recognizing educational excellence without federal involvement.

The recognition comes as rural schools nationwide face challenges including teacher shortages, funding constraints, and declining enrollment. Both Fairfield and Malta serve small communities where schools often anchor community identity and pride.

“At Malta High School, we strive to help every student rise to the challenge of reaching the highest standards while meeting the expectations of our community,” Bleth said. “This honor belongs not just to the school, but to every student, teacher, staff member, parent, and community member who has played a role in building an environment where students can thrive.”