(WFRV) - The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is one of the U.S. Department of Education's longest-running recognition programs, and on Monday, eight schools in Wisconsin were welcomed into the prestigious club. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education works with the Wisconsin Department of Education to identify and nominate outstanding schools for this converted award based on student academic achievement measures and progress toward closing achievement gaps. Culver’s announces new twist on cheese curds and the return of the CurderBurger This prestigious award serves not only as a symbol of exemplary American schools but also as inspiration for schools nationwide. Here is a list of the eight schools from Wisconsin that received a National Blue Ribbon award, as well as what their nomination category was: Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Monroe Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools Amery Middle School in Amery Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools Cedar Grove-Belgium Middle School in Cedar Grove Exemplary High Performing & Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools Eastside Elementary School in Sun Prairie Exemplary High Performing & Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools Frederic Elementary School in Frederic Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools Hales Corners Elementary School in Hales Corners Exemplary High Performing & Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools Horicon Elementary School in Horicon Exemplary High Performing Schools North Shore Middle School in Hartland Exemplary High Performing & Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools In total, 315 public schools in the United States were nominated alongside 40 non-public schools. 65% of the public schools nominated were elementary schools, followed by high schools (18%), middle schools (14%), and K-12 (5%). Forty percent of the public schools were located in suburban geographic locations, followed by 31% in urban or large central cities and 28% in rural or small cities/towns. The 40 non-public schools had a similar trend in school level: 75% were elementary schools, 18% were high schools, and 8% were K-12. Zero non-public middle schools were nominated. Fire truck up for auction in Ashwaubenon As for the non-public school affiliation, 78% of the schools were Catholic, 15% were Christian, and 8% were labeled as other. You can click here to view more data on the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools awardees.