Tempe’s Ward Traditional Academy Receives National Blue Ribbon Award

Tempe Elementary Schools is honored to announce Ward Traditional Academy has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School award recipient in a ceremony held by the Arizona Department of Education on November 12, 2025. Only six schools across Arizona were selected for this coveted national distinction for their overall academic excellence.

“Receiving the Blue Ribbon is an honor that belongs to our entire community. We are grateful for this recognition, which reflects our shared dedication to excellence and the hard work of our students, staff, and families,” shared Amy Bemis, Principal of Ward Traditional Academy.

This national achievement is given to both private and public schools that are ranked in the top 15% in their state, according to the US Department of Education. In addition, Blue Ribbon schools had to show that its historically underserved student groups were among the state’s top academic performers, closing achievement gaps over multiple years.

“Blue Ribbon Schools affirm our belief that every child in Tempe Elementary has Boundless Potential—and when we inspire and support them, they can achieve excellence,” said Tempe Elementary Schools Superintendent Dr. James Driscoll.

This is not the first time Tempe Elementary Schools has been celebrated on a national level. Fuller Elementary has held the honor of a National Blue Ribbon since 2016 and Rover Elementary since 2001, both for their academic excellence.

---

About Ward Traditional Academy
This close-knit community of K-8 students learn through a traditional focus with an accelerated curriculum. Teachers use a direct instruction model emphasizing carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined tasks. Ward Traditional Academy received an 'A' grade from the Arizona Department of Education in 2024-2025. 

About this Recognition
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program, a 43-year-old federal program recognizing schools across the country each year for academic excellence and narrowing gaps in student performance, will move the program to each state if they choose to continue the Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne said he will continue the Blue Ribbon Schools recognition using the same criteria.