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Northern Shores Elementary School has been named a national Blue Ribbon School, one of just seven in Virginia and two in Hampton Roads to earn the honor.

The recognition by the Department of Education is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Both Northern Shores and Windsor Oaks Elementary School in Virginia Beach were honored for closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the honor for Northern Shores and for 325 schools across the country during his Return to School Road Trip while visiting one of those schools, Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School in Palatine, Ill.

Besides Northern Shores, Virginia Beach’s Windsor Oaks Elementary School also received the Blue Ribbon school distinction, as did Virginia schools in Abingdon, Ewing, Meadows of Dan, Springfield and Woodbridge.

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” Cardona said in a statement. “I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”

The Blue Ribbon Schools award is in its 39th year and awarded the honor to more than 9,000 schools. It recognizes schools in one of two performance categories based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates – exemplary high-performing schools and exemplary achievement gap-closing schools.

Up to 420 schools can be nominated each year by top education officials in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools can be nominated by the Council for American Private Education.