The ribbon is blue.

The school is happy.

Resurrection Elementary School has been named a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School,

announced U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Tuesday.

It's the highest honor a U.S. school can achieve.

"We are extremely proud," said Steve Cornelius, chief administrator of Holy Family Catholic Schools. "Resurrection has a long tradition of working excellence, as do all of our schools."

The program, started in 1982, rewards schools with students who score in the top 10 percent in state assessments.

Principal David Gross said Resurrection third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students consistently score in the top percentile on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.

"I'm excited for the school and the kids and the staff," Gross said. "It's telling us that we're doing a good job with the students."

Resurrection was one of 50 private schools and 264 public schools that received the Blue Ribbon Award.

It wasn't an easy process.

Test scores and numerous essays were submitted by school officials that described why Resurrection was a Blue Ribbon School.

"It's almost like doing a thesis," Gross said. "It wasn't just handing them our scores."

He said the students' high scores were a direct result of the school community helping students achieve goals.

"It's the community of faith working together," Gross said.

A select few members of that community will travel to Washington, D.C., in early November to attend an awards ceremony at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Earlville Elementary School in Earlville, Iowa, also was given the honor. Wahlert Catholic High School applied for the award, but wasn't selected.

"Iowa educators are the best in the nation, and the teachers and education professionals who serve in these schools are truly the cream of the crop," said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, in a press release Tuesday.

Some area schools are familiar with the award.

Bryant Elementary School won in 2008, Cuba City (Wis.) High School in 2007 and Irving Elementary School in 1999.