PS 150, the school that was for decades embedded in Independence Plaza and moved in 2022 to Trinity Place, has been named a National Blue Ribbon school, announced this week by US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. The national program — around since 1982 — recognizes outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students. A school can receive the award once every five years; this year 316 public schools and 40 non-public schools were named nationwide.

“The recognition, in the midst of our expansion and move to Fidi, solidifies PS 150’s standing in New York City as a top-notch school, with dynamic students, passionate teachers and staff, and dedicated families,” said Principal Nico Victorino. “We are a small school doing big things, as our PTA likes to say.”

Victorino was an assistant principal at PS/IS 276 when he was recruited to come to PS 150 as principal in 2021. “I’ve always been a fan of PS 150 due to its amazing community and stellar academics, so my perception of the school has not changed as a result of this, but we will be able to leverage the Blue Ribbon Award to attract students and families and talented teachers as we continue to expand.”

For public schools, the Department of Education invites nominations from the chief state school officer of each state — PS 150 was nominated by the New York State Department of Education. Each school must meet several criteria based on the performance of its students on state assessments in reading and math along with other measures of student performance (e.g., student growth on state assessments or performance in other subjects).

The Department of Ed noted that PS 150 is known for its diverse and inclusive community, serving students from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and hailing from all five boroughs of New York City. (The school is 40 percent white, 27 percent Asian, 5 percent Black, 15 percent Hispanic, and 10 percent of kids are two or more races.) “This diversity is reflected in the school’s curriculum and programs, which emphasize global awareness and cultural appreciation alongside core academic subjects,” they added.

The new facility was not lost on the department, which said that the school was “well-maintained and thoughtfully designed to support a positive learning environment” with dedicated spaces for art, music and physical education.

“The school’s approach to education emphasizes not just academic excellence but also social-emotional growth, preparing students to be responsible and empathetic members of their community,” the website said. “PS 150’s strong community ties are evident in its active involvement with local organizations and families, which enhances the educational experience and builds a sense of belonging. Overall, PS 150 is a caring educational institution where students are encouraged to excel academically while growing into well-rounded individuals.”