TOPEKA ­-- Forty-three Kansas elementary schools, 11 middle/junior high schools and 18 high schools recently were recognized as part of the fifth annual Governor's Achievement Awards, honoring top performing schools in the state.

To receive the award, schools must have achieved the Standard of Excellence in both reading and mathematics for 2011. Additionally, the school must have made Adequate Yearly Progress in both reading and mathematics and one additional measure in 2011. For elementary schools and middle/junior high schools, the additional AYP measure is attendance and for high schools the measure is graduation rate. Additionally, the school must have been among the top 5 percent of schools in both reading and mathematics on the 2011 state assessments at its respective level, i.e. elementary schools, middle/junior high schools, or high schools.

"The Governor's Achievement Award is a significant recognition for Kansas schools," said Kansas Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker. "The accomplishment recognizes a school's high expectations and the ability of the school staff to assist students in achieving to those expectations."

Northwest Kansas schools receiving this award are:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Grinnell Grade School, USD 291 Grinnell

Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy Elementary, USD 489 Hays

Wheatland Elementary School, USD 292 Wheatland

MIDDLE/JR HIGH SCHOOLS

Kennedy Middle School, USD 489 Hays

HIGH SCHOOLS

Weskan High School, USD 242 Weskan