DAVID CITY - Six Nebraska schools are being recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools, but only one came from outside the Omaha or Lincoln metro area.

David City Elementary has been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2020, a recognition that is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The other schools that were honored include Pyrtle Elementary in Lincoln, and Standing Bear Elementary, Concordia Academy, Creighton Prep, and Marian High School in Omaha.

The award holds a special significance for David City Elementary, as it is the only school that was recognized that represents rural Nebraska.

"The schools in our area are top-notch," said David City Elementary Principal Ernie Valentine. "You hear people talk about the quality of education across our country, and they can come to Nebraska and participate in a rural school and see that there is top-notch education going on across the state."

Principal Valentine says the award now sets an educational precedent for future students at David City Public Schools, and that their school will be looked at as a benchmark across the state.

"We had our kids here today from preschool through seventh grade, and I think that for our students from fourth through seventh grade, they earned this award," Valentine said. "I think it's important for our younger students to understand that this is the expectation of students that attend David City Public Schools."

"You are now an inspiration to other communities, administrators, staff members," said Patsy Koch Johns, Nebraska School Board Vice President. "Maybe most importantly, you are an inspiration to other Nebraska schools and Nebraska students."