The Iberia Parish School Board recognized the staff of Delcambre Elementary for the honor of being named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence at Wednesday’s meeting.

The recognition to Delcambre Elementary was given last month, and only went to the seven schools in the entire state that were honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon school.

“It’s a very prestigious award,” Superintendent of Schools Heath Hulin said. “Only seven schools were awarded and I’m proud to say Delcambre is one of the seven.”

The award was given last month in an online presentation made by the U.S. Department of Education, and Hulin said the feeling of pride and accomplishment from the students and teachers that day was evident.

“It was very well deserved,” Hulin said.

Delcambre Elementary Principal Jodi Romero said her phenomenal teachers and staff and the work put in every day led to the national recognition.

“As a team, their love for their school and unwavering quest to do their job to the best of their abilities is the reason that they stand before you today,” Romero said. “It’s because of the jobs that they do that the U.S. Department of Education was made aware of a little dot on the map called Delcambre.”

“They make me proud everyday, they know I love and appreciate them but it’s important that others recognize their efforts,” she added.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Every year since the program was established in 1982, the U. S. Department of Education has sought out and highlighted schools that are demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels. The coveted National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families and communities that are creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content, according to the DOE.