Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School is one of 297 schools in the country to be named as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S Department of Education, according to a news release.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The designation recognizes Hepburn-Lycoming as an Exemplary High-Performing School, according to information from the district.

The primary school, containing grades kindergarten through third grade in the Williamsport Area School District has an enrollment of about 405 students.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition,” Head Principal Michele Kunkle said in a news release.

“It takes our whole school community working together to have achieved this distinction. The students’ achievement is the key factor, which speaks to the commitment of the

faculty here and validates their hard work. I couldn’t be more proud,” he said.

“I congratulate the entire faculty, staff and administrators of Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School on receiving this very distinguished recognition,” said Superintendent Dr. Timothy S. Bowers. “This serves as a testimony to their hard work and dedication in providing excellence in education. We are Millionaire Proud of this honor.”

The Department of Education recognizes schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates. The two categories are:

Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

This year marks the 39th group of schools that have been honored with the National Blue Ribbon School awards. Since it began, approximately 10,000 awards have been made to more than 9,000 schools, the Department of Education said in making the announcement of the latest honorees.

“The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in striving for — and attaining — exemplary achievement,” a release from the department said.

“National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning,” the release said.

An in-person award ceremony is planned for this year’s National Blue Ribbon Schools later this fall in Washington, D.C.