The U.S. Department of Education announced its 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools, a list that includes one from the DeKalb County School District: Kittredge Magnet School for High Achievers. The school was included in the U.S. Department of Education’s list of Exemplary High Performing Schools.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are those that are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers.

Schools are categorized as either Exemplary High Performing, meaning they are among the state’s best performing academically, or Exemplary Improving, which are those that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds and have reduced the achievement gap by improving performance to high levels.

“This is an outstanding honor for this school,” said Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson. “The Kittredge staff weaves high levels of academic rigor throughout every course from core subjects to extracurriculars, and as a result, the school helps children become high-level thinkers at an early age.”

Kittredge Magnet School for High Achievers offers students in grades four through six a challenging and rigorous curriculum.

Students are selected to attend Kittredge through an application and lottery system. In order to qualify, students must test in the 75th percentile or above in reading and math, in the 85th percentile or above in the complete composite and maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher from the fall semester of the application year.

Kittredge is only open to residents of DeKalb County.

“Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan during the official Blue Ribbon announcement. “Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future.”

Top education officials in each state select schools that best fit the Blue Ribbon criteria and submit those nominations to the U.S. Department of Education. Kittredge will be formally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at a ceremony Nov. 12 and 13 in Washington, D.C.