Four schools in the Edwardsville and Triad school districts have been named among the best 830 in the state. The Collinsville School District was also recognized for having low-income schools that performed well on state tests.

The Illinois State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University each year honors schools that excel on standardized tests.

This year, Academic Excellence Awards went to Columbus and Woodland elementary schools in the Edwardsville School District and St. Jacob and Marine elementary schools in the Triad School District.

The award goes to elementary and middle schools where at least 90 percent of the students met or exceeded state reading and math standards at least three consecutive years.

Triad Assistant Superintendent Dale Sauer said student test performance is a huge priority for the district.

"We take the students' weaknesses or strengths and work specifically for that student," Sauer said. "It's based on the students' individual needs."

The awards reflect performance on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test, a series of examinations in reading, math and other skills given to students each year.

Edwardsville schools Assistant Superintendent Lynda Andre said teachers take professional development classes.

"The idea is we continually train teachers in how to best deliver the curriculum so all students can reach their academic potential," she said.

In the Collinsville district, teachers target those students most at-risk for failing, said Assistant Superintendent Julie Brown.

"We work with them on specific skills using intensive intervention," Brown said.

Three Collinsville elementary schools — Summit, Twin Echo and Webster — received the Spotlight Award, awarded to schools where at least half of the students are classified as low income.

Schools must have made progress in 2009 and 2010 as required by No Child Left Behind legislation, among other benchmarks.

Contact reporter Ken West at 618-344-0264, ext. 101, or kwest@yourjournal.com