Six schools were named Maryland Blue Ribbon schools Tuesday, including Eastern Technology High in Baltimore County and Ellicott Mills Middle in Howard County.

Each of the schools will be nominated to become national Blue Ribbon schools. In the past, most schools that have earned the state designation also have received the federal honor.

"We're very pleased with the acknowledgment," said Tom Evans, principal of Eastern Tech. "We're very excited."

This is the school's second Blue Ribbon recognition, Evans said. Eastern has received a number of accolades, he added, having been recognized for the third year in a row by Newsweek as among the top 5 percent of high schools nationwide - and posting a 100 percent pass rate on the High School Assessments for the past three years.

Student achievement, as measured on test scores, has improved for the past three years at Ellicott Mills after the school put together a school performance plan, according to Principal Mike Goins.

The school has been recognized by a number of state organizations for the cooperation between parents and the school.

The other four schools receiving the designation are New Market Elementary in Frederick County, Northern Middle School in Calvert County, Northwestern Elementary in Wicomico County and Snow Hill Middle School in Worcester County.