Rockfield Elementary School was one of eight schools statewide nominated for the national Blue Ribbon School honor.
Rockfield and the seven other schools were selected from 400 districts statewide. The nominations were made by the state Department of Public Instruction and were based on student achievement over several years.
Superintendent Susan Borden said the district learned of the recognition during the first week of January. Borden added that credit for the honor should go to Paul Bingen, who retired as principal at Rockfield at the end of last year, and current  Principal Lynn Bub.
One other school nominated also has a Germantown connection. Magee Elementary School in Kettle Moraine School District was among the eight nominees. Borden noted that Maria Kucharski was principal at Magee until last spring, when she accepted a principal post at Amy Belle Elementary in Germantown.
The Blue Ribbon Schools program was started in 1982 to recognize schools striving to achieve excellence, the DPI stated in a Jan. 16 release.
"Characteristics of Blue Ribbon Schools include leaders who articulate a vision of excellence and stay involved in day-to-day teaching and learning; high standards for teachers, students, and administrators; diligent use of data to adapt teaching and learning to support every student; and a school culture of mutual respect and trust," the DPT release stated.
"Blue Ribbon School nominees are focused on helping all students achieve at high levels," State Superintendent Tony Evers said in the statement. "Staff members in these schools work together and with their communities to ensure all students are learning and gaining the skills they need to graduate ready for the workforce or further education."
The other schools nominated are Arena Elementary School, River Valley School District; Doudna Elementary School, Richland School District; Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary School, Racine Unified School District;  Nasonville Elementary School, Marshfield Unified School District;  and  Sunset Ridge Elementary School, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.