MADISON — State Superintendent Tony Evers congratulated nine Wisconsin elementary schools that were among 342 schools nationwide named to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program by the U.S. Department of Education.

The 2017 recipients include eight public schools nominated by Evers and one private school nominated through the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). Recipients, recognized for overall academic excellence or progress in improving student achievement, are

  • Mountain Bay Elementary School, D. C. Everest Area School District, Weston;
  • Blessed Sacrament School, La Crosse;
  • Robinson Elementary School, Laona School District;
  • Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Madison Metropolitan School District;
  • Oriole Lane Elementary School, Mequon-Thiensville School District;
  • Elmwood Elementary School, New Berlin School District;
  • Phillips Elementary School, Phillips School District;
  • West Salem Elementary School, West Salem School District; and
  • Washington Elementary School, Whitewater Unified School District.

“Nationwide, only a few schools achieve Blue Ribbon status each year,” Evers said in commending the schools. “The Blue Ribbon program recognizes the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for solid student academic achievement in a safe and supportive learning environment.”

Over the past 35 years, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized more than 8,500 of America’s schools. To be considered for the program, public schools must be among the top schools in the state for overall achievement on statewide assessments or closing achievement gaps between student groups. Private schools must meet the minimum requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education for eligibility. Awards are presented as “Exemplary High Performing” and “Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing” schools. Schools will receive an engraved plaque and program flag with the official seal, which signifies its status and the year of its award, at a ceremony on Nov. 6-7 in Washington, D.C.