(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — A Falcon School District 49 (D49) school is being recognized with an award for excellence by the Colorado Department of Education. On Thursday, Jan. 10, a ceremony was held to grant Remington Elementary School an Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools of Excellence Award. ESEA Awards are given annually to Title I schools - those with 35% or more economically disadvantaged students -  showing improvement in one or more of three categories:  Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g., homeless, migrant, English learners, etc.) According to the Department of Education, Remington received the award for its work serving students from special populations with a focus on students who are military-connected, multilingual learners and experiencing poverty.  Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean ScottCourtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean ScottCourtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott Staff members FOX21 News spoke to said they are proud to have developed a reputation as a welcoming and accommodating environment for all learners. "It's a little hard to grasp, I'm a pretty new Principal. This is my third year," said Remington Principal Cassi MacArthur. "I was so lucky to get to come to Remington Elementary and take over a school that was headed in the right direction." Along with the title of distinguished school came a $10,000 grant, which the school said it has not decided where to allocate the funds just yet.