Two schools in the Long Beach Unified School District have been named National Blue Ribbon award-winners recently. Tincher Preparatory Academy and Kettering Elementary were among the 367 schools nationwide to be recognized by United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

The awards are based on a school’s academic performance as well as its progress closing achievement gaps.

“Congratulations to the Tincher community for this well deserved recognition,” Tincher principal Alma Black said in a statement. “Our school continues to make a huge, positive impact upon students, and it’s gratifying to see everyone’s hard work celebrated at the national level.”

“Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” Secretary DeVos said in her announcement. “It’s a privilege to recognize the extraordinary work you do to meet students’ needs and prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives.”

The district has had several Blue Ribbon award-winners in previous years, but it’s the first award for both Kettering (a K-5 school) and Tincher (K-8). Both schools are located in East Long Beach, about two miles apart via Studebaker Road.

The US Education Department will hold a virtual recognition ceremony for the award-winners in mid-November.