Freeport Area High School joined the ranks of National Blue Ribbon schools last week.

“This is a big deal for us,” said Michael Kleckner, high school principal. “It validates all the work and effort we put into (teaching) our students.”

The school's selection as a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education makes it one of 367 schools honored nationally this year.

The designation is awarded based on a school's academic excellence on all levels.

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appears in Wednesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.