Eight Indiana schools receive 2012 Blue Ribbon Schools distinction

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) - The Indiana Department of Education announced the eight Indiana schools who are 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools winners on Monday.

The following schools received the distinction:

• Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, Cedar Lake
• Ferdinand Elementary, Ferdinand
• LaSalle Intermediate Academy, South Bend
• New Palestine High School, New Palestine
• Northview Elementary School, Valparaiso
• Smoky Row Elementary School, Carmel
• Webster Elementary School, Plymouth
• Yorktown High School, Yorktown

“I applaud the students, teachers and staff at each of the Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools. These honorees show us that no matter where you look in Indiana—in our urban, suburban and rural settings—there are passionate and committed adults working hard to reach every student and help them succeed,” Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said.

The Blue Ribbon School program honors both public and private schools. The schools are either among the state's highest performing schools or are schools with high gains in student performance where at least 40 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

More than 300 schools were nominated nationwide for the 2012 Blue Ribbon Schools distinction.