AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The federal Department of Education is recognizing two Maine schools for academic excellence and closing achievement gaps between disadvantaged students and others.

Orono Middle School and Eliot Elementary School are being recognized as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The principals and one teacher from each school are invited to celebrate the honor at an awards ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C.

The two schools from Maine were among 304 schools nationwide – 255 public and 49 private — to receive the Blue Ribbon honor for 2011.