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COLUMBIA (WACH) --  South Kilbourne Elementary School is being recognized by the United States Department of Education. The school is now a National Blue Ribbon School.

Monday morning the school's principal held a program celebrating the news with faculty, staff, teachers, parents and Richland District One employees.

According to the U.S. Department of Education website, the NBRS program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at very high levels, or where significant improvements are being made in students' levels of academic achievement.

Sarah Smith, the schools principal, says this distinction was a long time coming.

“We are a Title One school, 98 percent free and reduced lunch, and many times the public perceives poverty as those children who are not able to obtain knowledge. But we are so successful in what we have done and we have shared with the nation that regardless of poverty students can learn,” said Smith

The website goes on to note, the Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored America's most successful public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. A National Blue Ribbon Schools flag waving overhead has become a trademark of excellence, a symbol of quality recognized by everyone from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities. In its 30 year history, the U. S. Department of Education has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,000 of America's schools.

Five other schools across the Palmetto State were recongized this year including Oak Grove Elementary School in Lexington.