HONORED — Pugliese West Elementary School in Steubenville's West End on Tuesday was named one of 16 schools in Ohio and one of 325 across the nation to be named a National Blue Ribbon School. -- Linda Harris

STEUBENVILLE — Pugliese Elementary School is one of 16 schools in Ohio and 325 in the nation to be named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2021. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized the schools on Tuesday.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Joining Pugliese on the list from Ohio were:

* Bay Village – Westerly Elementary School, Bay Village City School District.

* Beachwood – Hilltop Elementary School, Beachwood City School District.

* Canton – Whipple Heights Elementary School, Perry Local School District.

* Cincinnati – Mariemont Junior High School, Mariemont City School District.

* Cincinnati – Montgomery Elementary School, Sycamore Community City School District.

* Dublin – Dublin Jerome High School, Dublin City School District.

* Dublin – Saint Brigid Of Kildare Elementary School, Diocese of Columbus.

* Girard – Girard Intermediate Middle School, Girard City School District.

* Granville – Granville High School, Granville Exempted Village School District.

* Hudson – Seton Catholic School, Diocese of Cleveland.

* Kettering – Orchard Park Elementary School, Kettering City School District.

* Logan – Hocking Hills Elementary School, Logan-Hocking Local School District.

* Maria Stein – Marion Local Elementary School, Marion Local School District.

* Minster – Minster Elementary School, Minster Local School District.

* Whitehouse – Fallen Timbers Middle School, Anthony Wayne Local School District.

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” Cardona said. “I commend all our honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”