The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Department of Education and is given to schools that challenge students to perform at high academic levels and make significant progress in closing the achievement gap between highest- and lowest-performing students.

The winners are:

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Elementary School in Brooten (Rick Gossen, principal); Hillcrest Community School (Paul Schullo, principal) and Oak Grove Elementary School (Raymond Yu, principal), both in Bloomington; J.W. Smith Elementary School (Patricia Welte, principal) in Bemidji; Kimberly Lane Elementary School (Gary Kipling, principal) in Plymouth; Park Rapids Area Century Elementary School (Mitch Peterson, principal) in Park Rapids; Rush Creek Elementary School (Don Johnson, principal) in Maple Grove; and Washington Elementary School (Linda Stockwell, principal) in Rochester. [NOTE: The principals leading these schools all are MESPA members.]

Specifically, public and private elementary, middle and high schools selected for the award have had 40 percent or more of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds dramatically improve performance to high levels on state tests, or public schools whose students collectively score in the top 10 percent on state tests. For private schools, students must score in the top 10 percent in the nation on nationally-administered tests, the Department of Education said.

Schools selected for the award also must make adequate yearly progress in reading, language arts and math.

"These schools are proving that when we raise the bar our children will rise to the challenge," Spellings said. "It takes a lot of hard work by teachers and students to become a Blue Ribbon school, and it's a privilege to celebrate their great efforts."

Administrators and staff from the schools will take part in a ceremony Nov. 12-13 in Washington D.C.

Tim Harlow • harlow@startribune.com