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This year's list of National Blue Ribbon Schools includes two Wasatch Front elementary schools recognized for academic excellence.
The U.S. Department of Education recognized 335 public and private schools on Tuesday, including Salt Lake City's Ensign Elementary School and Provo's Wasatch Elementary School.
Both schools scored above the state average on SAGE, Utah's year-end testing system, and earned A grades in the state's most recent school grading reports.
"It's about time somebody noticed that Ensign was doing well," Ensign Elementary Principal Bobbie Kirby said.
Ensign is located in Salt Lake City's Avenues neighborhood and enrolls roughly 360 students.
The school is known for its special education program, which draws students from throughout Salt Lake City, and a curriculum and assessment lab program where students have the same classmates for the duration of their elementary education, with teachers assigned for consecutive two-year periods.
Kirby said the cohort format, with a consistent group of children and the same teacher for two grades, helps student form a supportive community of learning.
"I have dedicated teachers," she said. "They're very conscious about making sure the students understand the core concepts."
Wasatch Elementary School Principal Rene Cunningham attributed her school's success to the hard work of teachers, students and parents.
"We get a lot of volunteers that come and help us," she said. "There's a lot of community participation."
Wasatch enrolls more than 900 students, and the majority of the school's children participate in the school's Chinese immersion program.
"Our teachers and our students are very deserving of the award," Cunningham said. "We're just thrilled that they've been recognized for this."
Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized in two categories: high academic performance and success at closing achievement gaps between student groups.
The 335 Blue Ribbon Schools included 285 public schools and 50 private schools.
In a video message, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan praised educators at the awarded schools for their collaboration and instruction.
"This honor recognizes your students' accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success," Duncan said. "You represent excellence — in vision, in implementation, and in results — and we want to learn as much as we can from you."