(NEXSTAR) – Each year, the U.S. Department of Education recognizes hundreds of schools across the country as National Blue Ribbon Schools. But what exactly does this prestigious title even mean?

Three schools in the region were recognized as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools, a distinction given to schools that perform well academically or close achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The U.S. Department of Education recognized the school for sixth through eighth grades and its 427 students as a National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was ...