BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —  The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has awarded five schools in Alabama for their quality standard of education.

Those schools are:

Bear Exploration Center, Montgomery County Schools

Crestline Elementary School, Mountain Brook City School

Clark-Shaw Magnet School, Mobile County Schools

Old Shell Road School of Performing Arts, Mobile County Schools

Shades Cahaba Elementary School, Homewood City Schools

The award is bestowed every year on any school that exhibits academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps with student subgroups. Schools considered for the award are of every stripe and color: public, private, charter, magnet, Title 1, parochial and independent. The National Blue Ribbon Program is part of the U.S. Department of Education, and has awarded over 8,000 American schools for the past 32 years.

Schools that receive such a distinction by the Education Department have core elements present regardless of their differences in size, location, economic status, or style. First, the school leadership is able to articulate a vision of excellence and high standards but still remain engaged in the daily practical steps of teaching and learning. Mutual trust and respect is deep seated in the school’s culture. Educators are well supported in their professional development and in mentoring. Lastly, families and educators work together in mutual trust.

The Alabama schools honored will be awarded with both a plaque and flag at a ceremony in Washington, DC on November 9 -10th

District and state educators will visit these schools to observe the leadership and education strategies employed, and often the principal and teachers of a Blue Ribbon School are called upon to speak at state, regional, and professional meetings sharing the ideas and principles of education that have propelled their school above the rest.