NORFOLK, Neb. -- A northeast Nebraska school has earned a national honor.

Westside Elementary in Norfolk has been named as one of five Nebraska schools chosen as a national Blue Ribbon school for 2022.

The announcement was made through a press release by the Norfolk Public School District. The honor is awarded to schools considered “Exemplary High Performing” by national standards. On Friday U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced that 297 schools would become Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022. Westside Elementary was one of five schools from Nebraska. This is the third time Westside has been recognized nationally recognition. In 2015 and 2019 they were the recipients of an ESEA (Title I) Distinguished School Award.

“Congratulations to the teachers, staff, and students of Westside Elementary School on being named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School," Norfolk Public Schools superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson said. "We are very proud to celebrate their recognition as a top performing school in the nation.”

Also speaking on the recognition was Westside principal Tracy Lichty, who thanked the Westside staff for their hard work and credited them for the award.

“Westside Elementary is an amazing place to be. I can’t say enough about our tremendous, hardworking staff," Lichty said. "I am extremely proud of them, and they deserve full credit for this honor. We are also incredibly blessed to have families that are very supportive of our staff, students, and overall school community. Finally, we have wonderful district leadership and a school board that continuously provides us with the tools we need to succeed.”

Norfolk Public Schools will be hosting a celebration on November 10, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. in the Westside gym. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.