(BOISE, ID) – Gem Prep: Online has been recognized as Idaho’s Elementary and Secondary  Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished School for 2024. 
The national ESEA Distinguished Schools Program recognizes Title 1 schools from each state  that are performing at a high level while serving a high proportion of at-risk students. To be  eligible for the award, schools must serve a population with at least a 35 percent poverty rate for  the current school year and demonstrate exceptional student performance and academic growth over the course of two or more years. In Gem Prep: Online’s case, the student population showed  excellent performance in ELA and math. 
“This award recognizes schools that are most successful in reaching kids whose circumstances  might make learning difficult, and this school has risen to the challenge,” said Superintendent of  Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “I’m grateful to Gem Prep: Online for providing an example of how to effectively serve students and the wider community.”  
Gem Prep: Online’s students outperformed almost 76 percent of their peers in English Language  Arts and more than 77 percent of their peers in mathematics. The school has been recognized as  a state “Goal Maker,” meaning it has met annual interim progress targets, as well as a “Top  Performer,” meaning it ranks in the top 10 percent on key performance indicators. Thirty-five percent of the school’s students come from an economically disadvantaged background.  
All national ESEA Distinguished Schools are honored with a commemorative award package, a  dedicated section on the ESEA Network website and a special video presentation at the National  ESEA Conference, to be held February 19 – 21 in Austin, TX.