While many schools in Hawai'i are struggling to achieve higher goals set under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, three public schools this week are accepting the national Blue Ribbon School Award for outstanding academic achievement.

Ala Wai Elementary yesterday was awarded its Blue Ribbon in a ceremony in the school's cafeteria. Two other schools, 'Aina Haina and Holualoa, will receive their awards later this week.

The award is given each year by the U.S. Department of Education to schools that are making substantial progress under the No Chid Left Behind law. A Blue Ribbon school is one that has closed the achievement gap among its students, or saw students succeed at very high levels.

The three Hawai'i schools are among 320 nationwide that are receiving the honor this year.

"Ala Wai is an example for the rest of the nation, an example of all the ideas that are working." said Emily Casarona, deputy regional representative for the U.S. Department of Education.

Casarona attended the award ceremony at Ala Wai yesterday and congratulated students and teachers on their hard work.

"Pat yourselves on the back," she told the cafeteria full of elementary students.

Casarona said Ala Wai has succeeded under No Child Left Behind in the face of serious adversity.

The school, with more than 21 native languages represented and some 61 percent of students coming from low-income households, has managed to make substantial gains in state testing. Moreover, about a third of students have limited English proficiency.

Regardless, Ala Wai has exceeded all expectations. Over the past five years, the number of fifth-grade students who met or exceeded state standards increased by 39 percent in reading and 51 percent in math.

"You always hear about schools not doing well," said Lori Kwee, a fourth-grade teacher at Ala Wai.

"But come to the school, and you'll see the kids blossoming," she said.

Principal Charlotte Unni said the award is an "affirmation of all the hard work" of teachers, parents and students.

"For us, it's very difficult to work with a population that speaks so many different languages," she said.

"Our children are very bright. The fact that they don't speak English when they arrive here is not something that holds them back," she said.

Unni pointed to several factors that have contributed to Ala Wai's dramatic increase in test scores.

Teachers track students through constant assessment and provide additional support as soon as it appears that a student may be struggling. Students who need a lot of support receive 20 minutes of tutoring every day.

"Every child is important. That's what No Child Left Behind is all about," she said.

Two other schools will receive Blue Ribbons this week — 'Aina Haina Elementary on O'ahu and Holualoa Elementary on the Big Island.

'Aina Haina, which will receive its award tomorrow, was chosen as a Blue Ribbon School because students achieved in the top 10 percent on the Hawai'i State Assessment. In 2007, 'Aina Haina ranked first in reading and third in math for overall scores. Over the past five years, the number of fifth-grade students who met or exceeded state standards increased by 22 percent in reading and 36 percent in math.

At Holualoa Elementary, the school has exceeded the state's NCLB benchmarks in reading and math every year since the legislation was enacted. In 2007, 80 percent of Holualoa's third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students met or exceeded proficiency on the state test. The school is expected to receive its award on Friday.