Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy Achieves 2025 Michigan Blue Ribbon Status

In a remarkable achievement, Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy has been distinguished as a 2025 Michigan Blue Ribbon School by the Michigan Department of Education. This accolade reflects the school’s unwavering dedication to high academic standards and the strong partnership it fosters between parents, teachers, and the community.

Principal Sabrina Terenzi expressed immense pride in this recognition, stating, "Our hard work in providing students with a high-quality education has truly paid off. We prioritize personalized instruction, which helps all our learners grow." The school was identified as an Exemplary High Performing School, placing it among the top educational institutions in Michigan as gauged by state assessments.

The Blue Ribbon Schools program, previously spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Education, grants this prestigious status to schools that either excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among diverse student populations. However, this year marked a notable change; the federal education department discontinued the national program after nominations were submitted. Notably, Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy stands as one of the 16 schools honored with the Michigan Blue Ribbon accolade for this year.

Commitment to Excellence

The Blue Ribbon designation is awarded to schools based on student performance in reading and mathematics as measured by state assessments, alongside other factors such as student growth and graduation rates. In previous years, other NHA partner-schools, including Pembroke Academy and Chandler Woods Charter Academy, were honored with Blue Ribbon statuses in 2024.

At Plymouth Scholars, the Moral Focus™ curriculum implemented by the National Heritage Academies® (NHA) plays a vital role in molding well-rounded students prepared for future success. Terenzi attributed the school's high performance to the enthusiasm and engagement of the students themselves. "Our students are actively engaged in their education. They are inquisitive, willing to investigate, and take risks in their learning process," she remarked.

A Collaborative Effort

The school’s remarkable results highlight the collaborative commitment of students, parents, and staff towards education. Interim State Superintendent Dr. Sue C. Carnell commended all those involved, stating, "Students and parents, school staff, and local communities deserve to be honored for their outstanding achievement. Our Blue Ribbon Schools serve as a model for others across the state."

Moreover, Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy has recently garnered other accolades, including being recognized as the best charter middle school in Michigan in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The elementary program of Plymouth Scholars also attained third place among Michigan's charter elementary schools. Niche, renowned for its comprehensive school data, recognized Plymouth Scholars as the top charter schools in both elementary and middle categories in their 2025 rankings.

In addition, the school received the NHA Founder's Award for excelling in creating a culture that emphasizes Moral Focus™ during the 2023-24 academic year. Principal Terenzi is set to represent the institution at the State Board of Education meeting on November 13, where the Michigan Blue Ribbon Schools will be formally honored.

About Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy

Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy is a tuition-free public charter school located in Plymouth, Michigan. It serves students from Young 5s through eighth grade and is part of the expansive National Heritage Academies® network, which provides education to over 68,000 students across nine states through 103 tuition-free public charter schools. For more information on NHA and school locations, please visit nhaschools.com.