Three Hawai'i public elementary schools — Lunalilo, Nu'uanu and Kauluwela — have been named Blue Ribbon Schools for 2006, a national recognition for achievement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings yesterday announced that 250 schools nationwide have been selected as Blue Ribbon Schools, with more to be named in October.

Under the program, a Blue Ribbon school is one that made significant progress in closing the achievement gap among its students, or saw students achieve at very high levels.

In a statement, Spellings said the schools being recognized are "outstanding examples of how all students can achieve to higher standards.

"These schools show what wonderful accomplishments can be made when we focus on the bottom line in education — student achievement," she said. "All of these schools have students from subgroups who've made impressive test gains or who scored in the top tier on state tests."

At Lunalilo Elementary, Principal Dean Nakamoto praised the school's strong parent organization and school community council as well as his hard-working teachers, who offer tutorial programs every day after school.

"We have a large number of students in our after-school tutorials," said Nakamoto. "And there is supplemental instruction during the day in reading."

What that offers, he said, is an intensive half-hour to an hour of extra reading during the school day that's helping improve reading scores.

The school also offers an accelerated reader program to all of its 562 students, which enables all children to take an online assessment that promotes independent reading and a love for reading, said Nakamoto.

But, said Nakamoto, "what makes our school is our supplemental programs."

Among the special offerings are fifth-grade band, structured PE for all students with a full-time PE teacher, a video technology program for fourth- and fifth-graders — who this year won first prize in a state competition — and a jump-rope team.

At Nu'uanu Elementary, new Principal James Toyooka, who has been on the job there just a week, said the gains were made under former Principal Clayton Kaninau, but noted that the school has a strong parent group.

The group, Aikane 'o Nu'uanu, is constantly doing things that help the school, including setting up an interactive Web site, allowing teachers and parents to exchange information on school events.

"They back us up 100 percent," he said. "The board alone has 15 to 20 members. They're very active, and that's a nice thing to have."

The parent group sponsors numerous fundraisers, including fun activities for the whole school such as a back-to-school dinner night and a fun fair in May. Twice a year the parents sponsor campus beautification programs, and they're available to help the school's two custodians keep the grounds well-tended.

Along with the parents, Toyooka praised the teachers, who make themselves available at recess and after school to help struggling students.

Toyooka also credited the school's strong character education program that stresses "be respectful, be responsible, be safe."

The principal of Kauluwela Elementary could not be reached for comment.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com.