On Thursday, the State Board of Education recognized seven Idaho schools as tops in the state for meeting rigorous performance standards.

During its meeting in Lewiston, the State Board announced its distinguished schools for 2012-13:

• Donnelly Elementary School, McCall-Donnelly School District.
• Kennedy Elementary School, Madison School District.
• Leadore School School, South Lemhi School District.
• Nezperce School, Nezperce Joint School District.
• Prairie Elementary School, Cottonwood Joint School District.
• Ramsey Elementary School, Coeur d’Alene School District.
• Thatcher Elementary School, Grace Joint School District.

“The requirements to achieve this award are rigorous, and the board congratulates the students, teachers, staff, parents and patrons of these schools on their hard work and dedication,” State Board President Don Soltman said. “There are more than 700 schools in Idaho, so these seven can be very proud of their outstanding performance and growth last year.”

In order to be eligible, schools had to meet several criteria:

• A four- or five-star rating in the state’s five-star rating system for each of the past two years.
• Meeting the annual measurable objectives in all subjects for overall students and all subgroups.
• Ranking among the top 5 percent of schools in student proficiency, and being among the top 10 percent of schools in the proficiency gap between the highest and lowest achieving subgroups and at-risk groups.

Kennedy Principal Lyle Jeppesen attributed his school’s success to a communitywide effort to make education a priority.

“The key thing is it’s not accidental, it’s just hard work,” Jeppesen told Idaho Education News. “It’s teachers collaborating together, it’s parents who are concerned and help, and it’s a community that values education.”

Kennedy earned a four-star ranking two years ago, and jumped to five stars last year, earning 97 points out of a possible 100.

The State Board has presented the Distinguished Schools awards annually since 2007.