Three South Dakota elementaries earn Blue Ribbon status

Congratulations to Groton Area Elementary, Parker Elementary and Wall Elementary! Those three schools earned Blue Ribbon status under a U.S. Department of Education program. More than 250 schools across the country were recognized as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence or for making progress in improving student academic achievement levels.

In its 30-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this award on nearly 7,000 of America’s schools.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of achievement.

A total of 417 schools nationwide may be nominated, with allocations determined by the numbers of K-12 students and schools in each jurisdiction. The Secretary of Education invites
nominated schools to submit an application
for possible recognition as a National
Blue Ribbon School.