TOPEKA – United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that six Kansas schools are among the 337 schools nationwide named 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools . The National Blue Ribbon Schools award, one of the most prestigious education awards in the nation, distinguishes and honors elementary, middle and high schools for helping students achieve at high levels and for showing significant improvement in students’ levels of achievement.

The Blue Ribbon program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories: Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. In the high performing category, schools are recognized for being among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s subgroups and all students over the past five years. Student subgroup performance and high school graduation rates for each subgroup are at high levels.

“I am so proud of each of our Kansas schools for achieving this significant award,” said Interim Commissioner of Education Brad Neuenswander. “It takes a true commitment to student learning to attain the level of achievement that qualifies for Blue Ribbon recognition. These six schools represent the high quality education taking place throughout our state.”

The following Kansas schools were recognized as Exemplary High Performing Schools:
Oatville Elementary School, USD 261 Haysville
St. Patrick Catholic School, Catholic Diocese of Wichita
Valley Falls Elementary School, USD 338 Valley Falls
West Bourbon Elementary School, USD 235 Uniontown.

The following Kansas schools were recognized for Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing:
Ogden Elementary School, USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden
Marias Des Cygnes Valley High School, USD 456 Marias Des Cygnes Valley

The schools will be honored at an awards ceremony November 10-11, 2014, in Washington, DC.