Big Creek Elementary School has been named a National Blue Ribbon School for the second time in 10 years.

According to reports from the Forsyth County school system, Blue Ribbon Schools are recognized each year by the U.S. Secretary of Education for helping students achieve at high levels and for making significant progress in closing achievement gaps.

National Blue Ribbon status is considered one of the highest honors a school can achieve.

This is the second time Big Creek has earned the distinction. The first was in 2001.

Principal Sherri Black said in a statement that the school community was "absolutely thrilled and humbled" to have been honored again.

"This is the pinnacle of all honors that can be received by any school in our country and a true testament to the quality that we believe is present in not only our school but in a great many public schools across the nation, even during difficult economic times," she said.

"This is a phenomenal moment for our school and for our district."

Superintendent Buster Evans echoed Black’s sentiments, saying that "staff, students and parents at the school are to be commended" for the 2011 feat.

"I am thrilled that once again a Forsyth County school has been recognized on a national level for excellence," he said. "These awards are just another example of some of the great things happening in our schools."

Besides Big Creek, Otwell Middle School was also named a Blue Ribbon School in 1991.

A total of eight schools in Georgia earned the honor this year. The others included schools in Cobb, Fayette, Fulton, Houston and White counties, as well as Calhoun and Trion city systems.