The U.S. Department of Education is honoring five Arkansas schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for their overall academic excellence.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the honorees Tuesday. The Arkansas schools are among 285 public and 50 private schools that will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington in November.
The Arkansas schools are considered exemplary high performing schools, meaning they are among the state's highest achievers in student test scores and high school graduation rates.
The five Blue Ribbon schools are: Mount Pleasant Elementary School in Izard County, Park Magnet School in Hot Springs, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Rogers, Valley View Junior High School in Jonesboro and Vandergriff Elementary School in Fayetteville.
