For the second time in three years, the hard work and dedication of a Carroll County school earned statewide recognition.

Oakland Elementary School was named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School on Sept. 15, a distinction it shares with Fancy Gap Elementary, which was honored in 2007.

Carroll County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith said the award is something that should give the county’s school employees a feeling of accomplishment.

“We’re very proud to have the second Blue Ribbon school within the division within the past three years,” Smith said. “I think that speaks to the rigor of our instruction and the dedication of our staff members to the students of Carroll County. We are absolutely thrilled.”

Oakland Principal Junior Gentry echoed Smith’s sentiments.

“For two schools in the division to receive this in a short amount of time tells you Carroll County’s doing something right with their educational system,” Gentry said.

The Blue Ribbon Schools program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. The program requires schools to meet either of two assessment criteria. It recognizes schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance in accordance with state assessment systems; and rewards schools that score in the top 10 percent on state assessments.

Gentry said Oakland became eligible because of its upward trends.

“We were initially notified by the Virginia Department of Education that were a candidate for the award based on the improved scores over the past few years and trend of continual growth, especially with our diverse population,” Gentry said. “We have a high percentage of (English as a Second Language) students, and free and reduced students. Those are factors a school or division has to address in order for students to be successful.”

Oakland is one of seven Virginia schools that were picked for the distinction.

Gentry said being named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School tells him that his faculty, staff, students and parents are dedicated to doing what they should.

“It validates the hard work of our students and staff and our parents to try to make sure we educate each and every child in this building and help them to be successful,” Gentry said.