(KNZA)--Sabetha Elementary School is among five Kansas schools that have been designated 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona made the announcement Tuesday. 

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The Department of Education said in a news release that the National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools.

There were 325 schools across the country designated as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools, including the five in Kansas.

The Blue Ribbon program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools in one of two performance categories: Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing.

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

In the high-performing category, schools are recognized for being among the state’s highest-performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

All Kansas schools were recognized in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category.

Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed about 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards.