Margaret Leary Elementary in Butte is one of three Montana schools nominated for a 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award.
Denise Juneau, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, also nominated Eureka Middle School and Hellgate Elementary in Missoula.
Nominated schools now enter a rigorous application process with the U.S. Department of Education.
The program honors elementary and secondary schools that made significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at very high levels.
Margaret Leary is nominated in the Exemplary High-Performing School category. This means that in 2012-2013 Margaret Leary finished in the top 15 percent in reading (English language arts) and math.
Criteria specify that results of students from disadvantaged backgrounds must be similar to results of all students tested. The school must meet Montana’s regular accreditation status for two consecutive years, as well.
Awards will be announced in September 2015.