Hats off to Windsor and Carrsville elementary schools, which were among only 103 schools across Virginia recognized last week for raising the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students.

The awards presented by the Virginia Board of Education were based on student achievement on state assessment tests during the last school year and 2009-2010.

The schools were honored for maintaining full state accreditation under the commonwealth’s Standards of Learning program for two consecutive years, meeting federal benchmarks in reading and mathematics and having average test scores in both subjects at the 60th percentile or higher.

The principals from both schools were thrilled and commended students, teachers, staff and parents.

It takes the combination of these components for success. But the most important factor for student success is parental involvement. Students need their parents to get on them about doing homework, studying for tests and getting involved at school. They need their parents to attend open houses, concerts and family reading nights.

An uninvolved parent gives a child the impression that he or she doesn’t care about his schoolwork. If the parent doesn’t care, why should the child?

The awards are a testament to the hard work that Isle of Wight’s public schools are doing on behalf of their economically disadvantaged students.