MADISON — State Superintendent Tony Evers today congratulated eight schools in Wisconsin that were among 314 named to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program by the U.S. Department of Education.
The schools were chosen based on student academic achievement. One-third of the schools recognized serve communities in which at least 40 percent of students are from economically disadvantaged families. The 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools from Wisconsin are

• Columbus Elementary School, Appleton Area School District;
• County Line Elementary School, Germantown School District;
• Mellen High School, Mellen School District;
• Merryman Elementary School, Marinette School District;
• Roosevelt Elementary School, Neenah School District;
• Thorp High School, Thorp School District;
• Walker Elementary School, West Allis - West Milwaukee School District; and
• Wausaukee High School, Wausaukee School District.

The principal and a teacher from each of the schools are invited to attend an awards ceremony on Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C. In addition to receiving a plaque and flag signifying their Blue Ribbon status, the schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation.
“Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is an honor few schools achieve,” Evers said. “These schools are an inspiration as we look for strategies to ensure every child graduates with the skills needed for employment or further education.”

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors schools based on one of two criteria: 1) schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or nationally normed tests; and 2) schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that demonstrate dramatic improvement of student performance above the 60th percentile on state tests or nationally normed tests.