For the second year in a row Escambia Academy is receiving accolades for their academic achievements by being named to the annual list of Blue Ribbon schools, a reward handed down by the United States Department of Education recognizing academic excellence and progress from public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools.

EA joined the ranks of 27 other Alabama Independent School Association institutions to receive the coveted honor this school year.

EA Principal Betty Warren said the recognition is a testament to the hard work teachers and students put into their academics.

“It is a great honor,” Warren said. “You have to do a whole lot of work to put this together and to verify that you have done it. It’s an award that all AISA schools are proud to receive.”

Warren said the award is handed out to schools who not only excel and improve in academics, but are able to show that they have done what is necessary to be included in the yearly list of high-achieving school.

“When you’re willing to do the work and meet the criteria and you can show that you have done that, it’s really worthwhile,” she said.

The program sets a standard of excellence for schools that must be met to be a member school according to the U.S. Department of Education, which defines the program as “part of a larger U. S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices.”

Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has singled out schools where students attain and maintain high academic standards, which includes students who “beat the odds.”