Four Southern Colorado schools are getting national recognition.

Soaring Eagles Elementary School in Harrison District 2, Chipeta Elementary School in Colorado Springs District 11 and Haff and Morton Elementary Schools, both in Pueblo District 60, have received the Blue Ribbon Award.

The award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior, or have made dramatic gains in student achievement and helped close gaps in achievement among minority and disadvantaged students.

Soaring Eagles is a Title 1 school. Over the past five years, the average test scores increased 22 percent in writing, 11 percent in reading and 10 percent in Math.

Principal Kelli Trausch credits the teachers and support staff.

"Very collaboration in nature and not competitive and the willingness to share and grow each other," said Trausch.

Chipeta principal Lori Butler says the school went from 80th in the state in 2003 to eighth last year in Colorado Student Assessment Program, also known as CSAP test scores.

"Everyone has been involved in this award. It means the teachers, the parent involvement. It means children come to school ready to learn," said Butler.

Two people from each school, the principal and a teacher, are invited to a ceremony in Washington, DC, on November 3 where each school will receive a plaque and a flag signifying its Blue Ribbon status.

In all, 314 schools nationwide have achieved this status.