The hard work of students, teachers and everyone involved with Whitehall Elementary School was recognized this week when the school received a 2012 Blue Ribbon School Award from the Maryland State Department of Education.

The Bowie elementary school was one of six schools in the state to receive this year's award and the only public school in Prince George’s County.

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes high performing schools along with those that greatly improve on their reading and math state assessments, according to a release from Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS).

“No one knows better than I do just how hard our students and teachers work. We are absolutely thrilled to be named a Blue Ribbon School,” said Jerenze Campbell, principal of Whitehall Elementary, in the release. “We look forward to celebrating with the community very soon.

Other award-winning elementary schools include Crofton Meadows in Anne Arundel County, Woodholme in Baltimore County, Ring Factory in Harford County, Rachel Carson in Montgomery County and Pocomoke in Worcester County.

Whitehall Elementary will compete this fall for a National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education and those winners will be announced in September.