HOPE, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Two Maine schools have been singled out as among the best in the country.
Hope Elementary School and the Solon Elementary school have both been selected as national Blue Ribbon schools, an award given by the U.S. Department of Education for high achievement.
Hope principal Carol Hathorne says the school had to apply for the Blue Ribbon competition, showing five years of test score improvement and a variety of other details proving the school's performance. Hathorne says the award is a tribute to everyone at the school, and praised the teachers for being willing to try new ways to help kids learn. The teachers, in turn, praise the principal--- and all say it makes for a good place for students.
Hathorne says the Hope school gets a lot of support from the town and from parents. She says having a consistent quality program and being able to keep good teachers are keys to the school's success.
Hope and Solon will receive their awards at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.