ROANOKE CO. (WSLS 10) - The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private schools based on academic excellence or progress in closing the achievement gap.
Schools are nominated by the local school system and the state to apply.
Only seven Virginia schools received the invitations this year, including Roanoke County's Green Valley Elementary.
The application looks at testing data, the culture of the school and academic achievement.
The school's principal says it is the hard work of the students and staff that makes the school successful.
"For them to be honored for this would just be an amazing achievement because they are working hard day in and day out, staff and students, to be able to achieve," says principal Ashley McCallum.
School leaders will found out in September if they won the award.