National Blue Ribbon School
2025 & 2019

October 15, 2025

Dear Trinity Community,

I am very pleased to share that Trinity Christian School was recently selected as a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School—our second time receiving this prestigious honor, joining the recognition our school received in 2019. This rare distinction reflects the excellence of our students, the faithful leadership of Trinity, and the dedication of our outstanding faculty and staff. As a two-time National Blue Ribbon School winner, Trinity Christian School was again commended as an Exemplary High-Performing School based on its high achievements in reading and mathematics, joining the ranks of some of the very best schools in the United States.

Shortly after Trinity’s selection, the U.S. Department of Education announced the discontinuation of the National Blue Ribbon program. Although we will not see our award celebrated in Washington, D.C., it remains a testament to Trinity’s achievement in 2025, being one of only 50 private schools nationwide to earn this recognition. We celebrate this accomplishment with gratitude, always remembering our mission to glorify God above all. As Colossians 3:23 reminds us, excellence is for the Lord, not just for earthly recognition.

I am proud of our Trinity community and thankful for the Lord’s continued favor. Together, we will continue to exemplify the excellence that the National Blue Ribbon Award once symbolized, always bringing glory to God.

In Christ,
Matt Thomas, Ed.D.
Head of School, CEO

What is a Blue Ribbon?

A Blue Ribbon is the highest award a school in the U.S. can receive. It is awarded by the Department of Education.

In order to apply for the award, a school’s students must score in the top 15% of the state’s test scores.

Schools that receive a Blue Ribbon are recognized for curriculum, co-curricular offerings, school culture, parent & community engagement and the diversity of students served.

Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.

Blue Ribbon schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the state.

Trinity submitted a comprehensive application detailing our school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.

The Blue-Ribbon Award is a 5-year recognition

Trinity's 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award

Click below to read about Trinity's 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award

Read about Trinity's 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award here

Read about Trinity's 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award here

Trinity's 2019 National Blue Ribbon School Award

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.

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

Former Head of School Dr. Vanderpoel made the following announcement soon after Trinity Christian School received the designation as a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School.

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.

Learn More About Trinity

National Blue Ribbon School 2025 & 2019

A Blue Ribbon is the highest award a school in the U.S. can receive. It is awarded by the Department of Education.

In order to apply for the award, a school’s students must score in the top 15% of the state’s test scores.

Schools that receive a Blue Ribbon are recognized for curriculum, co-curricular offerings, school culture, parent & community engagement and the diversity of students served.

Click below to read about Trinity's 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award

National Blue Ribbon School
2025 & 2019