Two South Ala. schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Two South Alabama schools made the list of 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Daphne High School and Spencer Elementary School were two of the five schools from Alabama.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the list Friday at Arlington Traditional Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. The 2012 list includes 269 schools. Fifty of them are private schools.

“Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential,” Duncan said. “Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers.  Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future.”

National Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen out of nominations made by top education officials in each state, the District of Columbia, Puero Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education.

The schools are chosen based on one of two performance categories. "Exemplary High Performing" schools are among their state's highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. "Exemplary Improving' schools have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests.

The 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition ceremony will be held November 12 and 13 in Washington, D.C.

The five Alabama schools to be named are:

• Daphne High School, Daphne
• Forest Hills School, Florence
• Liberty Middle School, Madison
• Piedmont High School, Piedmont
• Spencer Elementary School, Mobile

Click here for a complete list of the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools.