3 El Paso-area schools nominated for national recognition for student achievement

EL PASO, Texas -- Three El Paso-area schools are among 26 across Texas nominated for the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School designation, education officials said Monday.

The El Paso Independent School District's Milam Elementary School and Transmountain Early College High School, along with the Ysleta Independent School District's Desertaire Elementary School, are up for the honors.

Officials noted that in all three schools, at least 25% of the students are considered to be economically disadvantaged.

National Blue Ribbon School recognition is a decades-old U.S. Department of Education awards program that recognizes public and private schools for high student achievement.

The winners will be announced in September at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.