Red, White & Blue Schools

The Red, White & Blue Schools program recognizes K-12 public and private schools that are going above and beyond in their delivery of civic education. By participating in this program, schools are promoting being active and engaged members of their communities.

Red, White & Blue Schools is a partnership program between the Connecticut Secretary of the State, the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the Connecticut Democracy Center in residence at Connecticut’s Old State House. Support is provided by the Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts and CT Humanities.

How Red, White & Blue Schools Works

Schools design civic engagement projects that promote students being active and engaged members of their communities. They use the annual Red, White & Blue Schools rubrics as guides and submit their projects for review. 

To qualify, at least one class in a school must meet the program’s minimum standards as outlined in the rubrics. Whole school systems may be recognized if elementary, middle, and high school classes participate! 

Schools may begin participating at any point during the school year and applications are due in the spring. Check back for the 2026 deadline!

Annual Theme

An annual Red, White & Blue Schools theme is selected to get schools thinking creatively about civic education and engagement. The theme aims to allow flexibility and scaling. Projects can be done by a single classroom, a grade level, or a whole school. 

The 2024-2025 theme was Our Government, Our Voices. The 2025-2026 theme will be announced this summer!

Recognition

Schools that meet the Rubrics’ minimum criteria will be honored as Red, White & Blue Schools, recognizing their outstanding commitment and dedication to civic education and engagement. Up to two schools will be recognized as Schools of Distinction. They will receive official certificates and can display on their websites and materials that they are recognized as a Red, White, & Blue School. 

One school will be selected as the Outstanding School and will be honored at an in-person ceremony at their school in the spring. The Outstanding School will receive a $1,000 cash prize made possible by the Office of the Secretary of the State of Connecticut. 

All recognized schools will be announced at the end of the school year in an official press release that is often covered by the media.