2019 National Blue Ribbon School - Trinity Christian School: Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade Fairfax County and Northern VA

On Thursday, September 26, the U.S. Secretary of Education announced that Trinity Christian School of Fairfax has been designated a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School!

This award, for exemplary high academic performance, is given annually to only 50 out of the more than 32,000 private schools in the United States. Eligibility for this award requires that students, at every tested grade level, be in the top 15% of all U. S. students in reading and math as measured by nationally normed tests. We know that every good and every perfect gift comes from above.

Let us rejoice together as we thank our heavenly Father for blessing the works of our hands in such a demonstrable fashion.

It is my pleasure to congratulate our entire community of faculty, staff, students, and parents – all of you have helped us achieve this national recognition.

Well done to all of you for making Trinity Christian School an exemplary place and now a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School!

David Vanderpoel
Head of School and CEO
Trinity Christian School

View the U.S. Department of Education press release here.

National Blue Ribbon Award FAQ's

What is the National Blue Ribbon School Program?

Established by the Department of Education (DOE) in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program (NBRS) recognizes schools that are deemed either Exemplary High Performing or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. It is an exclusive award that only recognizes the top schools in the nation. While over 300 public schools qualify for both awards each year, nonpublic schools are only eligible for the Exemplary High Performing award. Private schools that meet the qualification standards apply through the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). The DOE limits CAPE’s nominations to a maximum of 50 schools nationwide. This means that qualifying for the award does not guarantee a school will receive it. After receiving a CAPE nomination, a school’s application is then reviewed by the DOE, which makes the final decision on which schools receive the award. Once a school receives the award, it is not eligible to receive the award for another five years. This is the first time that Trinity has applied for the award, an extensive process that began last summer.

What are the qualifications for receiving the NBRS award?

To receive the Exemplary High Performing School award, a school’s students must test in the top 15% in the nation in reading and mathematics, as measured by the most recent nationally normed test. Each year Trinity tests students using the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP) published by the Educational Records Bureau. The CTP is a rigorous nationally normed test used by college preparatory schools across the nation. While we utilize CTP results to identify student strengths and areas of improvement, the DOE utilizes them to make its final determination for the NBRS. Trinity’s 2018 test results indicated that our students not only met the NBRS qualifications but in many grades, our students tested in the top 10% nationally. Additionally, the graduation rate for the school must be 95% or higher. Please visit this link for more details regarding other qualifications.

How important is this award?

Trinity is honored to be named a 2019 NBRS. We cultivate truth, courage, and service, and in doing so find that being Christ-centered and academically excellent are natural extensions one of another. Since our school’s inception in 1987, we have been committed to preparing the next generation of Christian leaders. Our school goal is to equip students to walk humbly with God in their minds, love mercy in their hearts, and act justly in their lives. Therefore, Trinity pursues academic rigor, spiritual vitality, and life together in a community committed to the historic Christian faith. Trinity’s commitment to small student-to-teacher ratios, to sensible use of technology alongside traditional textbooks, and to robust instructional support, has resulted in graduates who continue to outperform state and national norms. While we do not strive for the recognition of others, it is noteworthy that public education leaders recognize the excellence of our students and teachers.

What makes Trinity Christian School an exemplary place?

Trinity Christian School thinks outside the box when it comes to making quality Christ-centered schooling accessible to as many children as possible. It is why TCS embraces a Variable Tuition model, allocating over a million dollars annually to help families cover the cost of private education. It is how the school came to offer 30 Advanced Placement and Honors courses alongside unique electives such as Constitutional Law, and Ethics in Contemporary Culture. It is why Trinity has a well-staffed and well-equipped Learning and Institutional Resource Center which offers scaffolded intervention programs designed to shrink achievement gaps. Here, certified counseling and nursing personnel work alongside executive function and ESOL coaches as well as educational therapists to develop each student, uniquely made in the image of God. Here, families willingly drive several hours daily to provide their children with an education that is marked by rich partnership and understanding of individuals.

Trinity’s commitment to small student-to-teacher ratios, to sensible use of technology alongside traditional textbooks, and to robust instructional support, has resulted in graduates who continue to outperform state and national norms.The school goal is to equip students to walk humbly with God in their minds, love mercy in their hearts, and act justly in their lives. Therefore, Trinity pursues academic rigor, spiritual vitality, and life together in a community committed to the historic Christian faith. Trinity’s commitment to small student-to-teacher ratios, to sensible use of technology alongside traditional textbooks, and to robust instructional support, has resulted in graduates who continue to outperform state and national norms. We cultivate truth, courage, and service, and in doing so find that being Christ-centered and academically excellent are natural extensions one of another.

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