expectations. two of those schools are from right here in the ark-la-tex. the principals from claiborne fundamental magnet --and oak park micro society schol are in d-c to receive their national blue ribbon for excellence in education. both schools were recognized today-- for having practices in place that other chools in our nation could benefit from. so just what are those practices? let's go in depth now with education reporter eric james who's in our nation's capital. gerry and jody greeting from washington. of the more than 100-thousand schools in the nation only 7% are considered blue ribbion schools. and when it comes to claiborne .... this award is elevating the school to a new level gaing some much sought after respect. it is the annual fall carival at claiborne fundamental elementary magnet it is more than just an event for markarios brown and his family.. it's tradition...markarios 's older sister, who is a student at lsu...also attened claiborne... and his mother tonya couldn't see him at any other school 1:12 if he gets a c on his report card he is like oooh i have to bring this up they don't play that here and excelence is what principal, dr. ellen hall expects out of her students....and her teachers. 10:57 we arent a toote our own horn claiborne is an a - plus school...not only are test score among the highest in the district but in state students here speak french and they take part in a special science program at barksdale airforce base "one of the things they learn here is principal of which is how a plane flys and 5th graders dont usually learn that " to get into claiborne students must score at the highest level on the magnet entrance exam 6:17 all of the mag schools have the same application process there parts apply there is a ranking process of the top four school but even with all the school offers... often is it not the top choice of parents. 6:09 alot of people get a little taken back when you say oh my child goes to clariborne cassandra barnes son noha is a 2nd grader here...and even her husband larry - who attened south highland magnet as a child says he too was taken back 423 i was like ummm claiborne is not a school you hear much about... it is in the city's 10th police district near lsu hospital... at one time it was one of the worse neighborhoods in the city...now the area has one of the lowest crimes rates. 2:45 they don't get enough here because of the neighborhood here...it was put into any other neighborhood they would be raving about this school but since it's where it is at its a hidden location ... barens was among number of fathers who helped out with this year fall carnival... and when you look around the crowd.... you might see more parents here than kids..parents who told us .. that the environment around school doesn't matter...it's what goes inside the school that counts. 3:55 my boy is in 2nd grade and he is reading at a 4th grade level 10:14 i don't think the cloud is of not being what we need to be ..i think it is the unknown 11:20 we are wll kept secreat 11:15 almost everyonte that comes in this building leaves with a jaw dropped and a wow well the secret is no more...nothe nation is aware is what goes on at claiborne. representives from the u.s. department of education will start making perodic trips to shreveport to observe how things are run their in hopes that the information they can be passed on to other schools across the county. everyonte that comes in this building leaves with a jaw dropped and a wow well the secret is no more.now the nation is aware is what goes on at claiborne. representives from no more...now the nation is aware is what goes on at claiborne. representives from the u.s. department of education will start making perodic trips to shreveport to observe how things are run their in hopes that the information they can be passed on to other schools across the county. and on a side note - ellen hall says the school would be wherit is today if were not for former principal, marilynn johnson- who retired last year...but still run the after school program at the school. jody - gerry back to you in shreveport. and be sure to tune in tomorrow at 6 pm for an in-depth look at how oak park micro society is changing the lives of students ... as our series exceeding expectations continues. pausing once again today to remember our nation's veterans. find out