U.S. Secretary of Education John King designated three Montgomery County schools as “shining examples” for others around the country, winners of the 2016 National Blue Ribbon, writes Kristen Graham and Martha Woodall for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Wissahickon High School in Ambler, St. Philip Neri in Lafayette Hill, and St. Genevieve in Flourtown were among the 329 schools across the nation that were singled out for excellence.

Schools win the honor either for strong academic performance or for work in narrowing the achievement gap among groups of students.

Sister Theresa Maugle, principal of St. Genevieve in Flourtown for the last 18 years, said her school was especially honored to be among just 50 nonpublic schools recognized across the country.

“It’s quite exciting,” said Maugle.

It was the third time St. Genevieve was named a Blue Ribbon winner. The small Catholic school with 272 K-8 students also won Blue Ribbons in 2001 and 2006.

Maugle said her school continued to apply for the honor because “it focuses us on moving forward in education. We don’t ever want to be thought of as standing still.”

At Wissahickon High School, principal Lynne Blair was delighted with the news.

“I’m very, very proud,” Blair said. “It’s a well-balanced place that prioritizes both academics and kids’ character development.”

Click here to read more about the 2016 National Blue Ribbon schools in the Philadelphia Inquirer.