JEFFERSON CITY—State Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, recently congratulated local schools for their recent academic successes, including two high schools in the 20th District named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education for 2013.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools program, created in 1982, recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at high levels or where significant improvements were made in students’ academic achievements.

This year, the U.S. Department of Education recognized Spokane High School in Highlandville and Nixa High School in Nixa for improving their already impressive record of educational success. The award was only given to eight schools in Missouri this year.

The schools will be formally and publically recognized in Washington, D.C. in late November during an awards ceremony. They will also have the option of displaying a National Blue Ribbon School flag in honor of the designation.

“I’m incredibly proud of both these schools for their continued dedication to finding ways to improve the educational success of their students,” said Sen. Wasson. “This notable honor shows the state and the nation what citizens of the 20th District already know: We have some of the best schools in the country right here in Southwest Missouri.”

Senator Wasson also applauded the Fair Grove School District, which was recently recognized for scoring a 93.9 percent on the 2013 Missouri School Improvement Program Annual Performance Report. The district also has graduation and attendance rates well above the statewide average.

“I think it’s a testament to our area that while countless districts across the state wring their hands about the future of education, teachers and faculty in our local schools roll up their sleeves and get the job done,” said Sen. Wasson. “These schools have consistently shown that the key to giving our children a great education is quality teachers, supportive school administrators, dedicated students and involved families.”

In other educational news, the Missouri Supreme Court’s Committee on Civic Education selected Logan-Rogersville High School in Rogersville to take part in the inaugural year of its Constitution Project, a statewide competition in which students are given hands-on experience in legal and judicial careers.

As part of the project, students will create a mock trial for a fictitious crime with help from local journalists, broadcasters, police, sheriffs, lawyers and judges. The schools selected will first participate in regional competitions in their home cities and then in a state final to be held later this fall in Jefferson City.

“I’d like to congratulate the Logan-Rogersville High School for being one of the only eight schools in the entire state selected for this exciting project,” said Sen. Wasson. “It’s incredibly important for students to understand how our legal system works and see firsthand how important careers are in these areas.”

For more information about The Constitution Project, visit www.courts.mo.gov/constitutionproject.

To view regular updates on legislative and district events, visit Sen. Wasson’s official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/wasson.