Four Florida public schools won kudos today from the U.S. Department of Education as No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools.

The chosen schools are selected based on one of two criteria: 1) At least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds  dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; or 2) Students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state test.

The schools are: Avalon Elementary School, Orange County School District; Mater Academy East Charter, Miami-Dade County School District; Ocean Breeze Elementary, Brevard County School District; and Virginia Shuman Young Elementary, Broward County School District.

Three Florida private schools also won the recognition. They are St. Cecelia Interparochial in Clearwater, Brandon Academy in Brandon and Christ the King Catholic in Jacksonville

For more information about the program, visit the USDOE web site.