Capron Elementary School was one of 118 schools honored recently by the Virginia Board of Education for raising the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students.

The school was honored as a &uot;Title I Distinguished School&uot; for maintaining full state accreditation under the commonwealth’s Standards of Learning program for two consecutive years, for meeting federal goals in reading and math and for having average test scores in the 60th percentile or higher for both of those subjects.

&uot;These awards show that all children – regardless of family income – can learn and achieve,&uot; said Board of Education President Mark E. Emblidge. &uot;With all this success, it is easy to forget that there once was a widespread belief that children from economically disadvantaged communities should not be expected to meet high standards.&uot;

&uot;Educators in these schools overcome challenges every day as they prepare children for brighter futures,&uot; said Superintendent of Public Instruction Billy K. Cannaday Jr. &uot;They focus on each child and are not daunted by higher annual benchmarks.&uot;

Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act provides money for schools and divisions that have programs to raise the achievement of at-risk students.

The federal law sets annual student-achievement goals for the schools.