The U.S. Department of Education is recognizing eight Georgia public schools and one private school as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

State education officials announced the awards Tuesday. Nationally, 264 public and 50 private schools were recognized for their overall academic excellence or for making progress in closing the achievement gap.

Three public schools within Cobb County made the list: Fair Oaks Elementary and Tritt Elementary with Cobb County Schools and Marietta Center for Advanced Academics with Marietta City Schools.

The other schools are Daves Creek Elementary in Forsyth County, Mountain Park Elementary in Fulton County, Middle Ridge Elementary in Newton County, Sugar Hill Elementary in Hall County and Webster County High in Webster County.

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, a private school, in Kennesaw was also honored.

Tags: Cobb County schools, U.S. Department of Education, Fulton County Schools, Hall County Schools, forsyth county schools, marietta city schools, blue ribbon schools, fair oaks elementary, tritt elementary, marietta center for advanced academics, daves creek elementary, mountain park elementary, middle ridge elementary, newton county schools, sugar hill elementary, webster county high school, webster county schools, st. catherine of siena catholic school