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.

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. Applications for the 2026 cycle are due on Friday, April 24th, 2026!

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 2025-2026 theme is For the Common Good. 

Recognition

One school will be honored as the “Outstanding School” and will publicly receive a monetary prize of $1,000 to support and sustain their civic engagement endeavors. RWB may also select runners-up as Schools of Distinction. All schools that meet the Rubrics’ minimum criteria will be recognized as Red, White & Blue Schools for their commitment to civic education and engagement.

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.