For the second time in three years, one of Unalaska’s schools has been nominated for the National Blue Ribbon award. In 2010, it was Unalaska City School. This time, it’s Eagle’s View Elementary School. Superintendent John Conwell says it’s no surprise that Unalaska’s schools are eligible for recognition as being among the nation’s best.

“We’ve been, I believe, in the top three performing school districts in the state for several years now.”

The Blue Ribbon award takes into account student scores on statewide assessments, as well as community involvement with the school, teaching methodology, and the school’s non-core curriculum. Alaska can nominate just three schools a year -- and schools can only receive the award once every five years. Conwell says it’s exciting to be in the running again, but that the award isn’t a done deal.

“Aside from having to make adequate yearly progress, we have to complete a very comprehensive application. Fortunately, we have a little experience doing that now, having just done one for the Unalaska City School.”

The paperwork is worth it for Conwell though. He says the recognition that Unalaska has great schools isn’t just important for people who already live here -- it’s important for people who might be thinking of moving.

“If they have children, one of the first things they look at it is the quality of the schools. So I hope that if someone is contemplating a move here who has children, that they would see that despite the fact that we’re rural, we’re remote, we’re small, we do have quality schools and we care about kids. And that it’s a priority for the community and the city that we do have a good education system here.”

The awards will be announced next September.