Citizen's Academy: 2011 Blue Ribbon School

National Awards: Eighteen Ohio schools join a list of 305 buildings nationwide named Thursday as 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The designation goes to schools that display overall academic excellence or success in closing achievement gaps. The individual schools will be recognized at a ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C.

"America's long-term economic prosperity and civic engagement depends on our children receiving a world-class education," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow."

To be named a Blue Ribbon School, a building must either rank among the state's highest performing schools based on assessments or have at least 40% of its students from disadvantaged backgrounds and improve performance to high levels, according to the USDOE.

All of Ohio's awardees were classified as high performing. Four schools are considered disadvantaged and six are private schools.

Ohio's Blue Ribbon Schools are: All Saints School in Cincinnati, Cardington-Lincoln Elementary in Cardington, Citizens Academy in Cleveland, Kensington Intermediate School in Rocky River, Kings Mills Elementary, Lake Elementary in Harville, Maplewood Elementary in North Bloomfield, Putman Elementary in Blanchester, Saint Angela Merici School in Fairview Park, Saint Barnabas Catholic School in Northfield, St. Columban School in Loveland, St. Francis Xavier School in Medina, St. Joan of Arc School in Chagrin Falls, South Range High School in Canfield, Springboro High School, Timmons Elementary in Chagrin Falls, Union Elementary in Upper Sandusky, and West Boulevard Elementary in Youngstown.