The Rev. Tony Sejba, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, along with altar server Luke Hamel, dedicate the medallion plaque recognizing St. Francis Xavier as a National Blue Ribbon School. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY KIERA MANION-FISCHER)

St. Francis Xavier School was recognized as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School.

The award was given by the U.S. Department of Education, honoring the school for academic excellence.

The school had a dedication Tuesday, the one-year anniversary of receiving the award.