Six public schools, including four in the Baltimore area, were named Wednesday as Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.
The state Department of Education awarded the designation to Lake Shore Elementary School and Severna Park Elementary in Anne Arundel County, Pine Grove Elementary in Baltimore County and Fountain Green Elementary in Harford County.
The schools were recognized for academic excellence and, in some cases, for helping students from economically disadvantaged families succeed.
Those schools, along with Kemptown Elementary in Frederick County and Smithsburg High School in Washington County, will now apply for the National Blue Ribbon School designation, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
At Pine Grove Elementary, 84 percent of fifth-graders scored advanced on the state's science test and more than 93 percent passed the math and reading tests. Forty-two percent of the school's students are economically disadvantaged and 46 percent are members of minorities, slightly less than the county average.
Principal Jean Wilson said the faculty has focused not just on academic excellence, but also on the social and emotional development of each child.
"They work with the whole child to be as successful as they can be at school," Wilson said. The faculty, she said, "treat the children as though they were their own." Every month, teams of grade-level teachers meet to discuss each child who is struggling, looking at what interventions could be tried to help them catch up.
The school's parents work to provide children with extracurricular activities and extra tutoring. In the first grade, Wilson said, some students are getting a triple dose of phonics instruction, assisted by parents before and after school.
"We are so proud of the students, staff and community at Pine Grove Elementary School for showing us what consistent, everyday excellence looks like," said Dallas Dance, superintendent of Baltimore County public schools. "Pine Grove has established itself for its rigorous academics, its nurturing learning atmosphere, and its strong pride and identification with its community."
Severna Park Elementary has had test scores in the top 5 percent of schools in the county and the state for seven years running and is ranked fourth in Maryland. During the last school year, 98 percent of students passed the state tests in math and reading and 92 percent in science.
More than 92 percent of Lake Shore students passed the Maryland standardized tests, and they have eliminated the gap in achievement between the general population and special education and economically disadvantaged students. The school integrates the arts into instruction.
Lake Shore Principal Linda Toth said the award recognizes the students' commitment to their work.
"I'm a proud peacock, the feathers are out," Toth said. "Our data has been consistently strong for the last few years."
More than 90 percent of students at Fountain Green pass state tests. In a statement, the Harford school system said Fountain Green emphasizes "the whole child" by encouraging students to take part in activities such as poster contests and a parent-run Lego Club.
"I ran through the halls of the school with our Blue Ribbon flag as all the students cheered," Principal Alison Donnelly said in the statement. "Today will be a day to remember for our school and community."
Baltimore Sun Media Group reporter Brandi Bottalico contributed to this article.