Thirty-six schools in USD 259 received the state's Standard of Excellence Awards. The honor is based on state assessment scores in reading and math.

"The number of schools who have received SOE has gone up every year. and the number of overall SOE awards has gone up every year," said USD 259 Chief Academic Officer Denise Seguine.

Of the 36 schools who received the awards, 26 were elementary, one was a K-8th grade school, five were middle schools and four were high schools. The total number of awards was 104.

Colvin Elementary was the big winner within the district. They achieved standard of excellence on every level.

School officials say that this is just more proof that USD 259 continues to exceed the state's continually rising academic standards.