Hilo elementary school among 3 Hawaii schools that earned Blue Ribbon distinction

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HONOLULU — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is recognizing three Hawaii schools for academic excellence or for making progress in closing achievement gaps among students.

HONOLULU — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is recognizing three Hawaii schools for academic excellence or for making progress in closing achievement gaps among students.

Haleiwa Elementary, Red Hill Elementary in Honolulu and Ernest Bowen deSilva in Hilo are Hawaii’s National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2014.

The U.S. Education Department will honor the 287 public and 50 private schools given the distinction nationwide at a ceremony next month in Washington, D.C.

Duncan says the schools fulfill the promise of an American education that all students can succeed no matter where they’re from.

The state Department of Education says E.B. deSilva becomes the first neighbor island school to be named a Blue Ribbon School since Holualoa Elementary in Kona in 2008.