An Orangeville school has been recognized as among the best elementary schools in Ontario at the fifth annual Garfield Weston Awards for Excellence in Education dinner in Toronto Tuesday.

St. Peter School received School of Distinction recognition in the Improvement in Academics category.

"The teachers, support staff, and administrators of St. Peter School are pathfinders who continually find new ways to help their students achieve more in school. We are delighted to honour their hard work and achievement," said Peter Cowley, director of school performance studies at the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute. "Celebrating the accomplishments of these educators enables them to share their successes and inspire others."

The awards are based on an analysis of the Ministry of Education's student results data for each school included in the Fraser Institute's annual Report Card on Ontario's Elementary Schools. Out of 2,786 English and French, public and separate elementary schools from across Ontario, only the top one per cent (i.e., the top 30 schools) in each category were invited to participate in the awards. About 550 educators from across the province attended the reception and awards dinner.

Awards were presented in three categories, each reflecting different aspects of academic success. Improvement in Academics recognizes schools that have experienced the fastest, most consistent improvement in their academic performance over the past five years. Determination in Academic Achievement recognizes schools that ensure that their students succeed regardless of the hurdles they may face. This award challenges the notion that only schools in rich neighbourhoods perform well academically. The award for Overall Academic Achievement recognizes schools whose students have achieved remarkable, ongoing academic success over the past five years.

"Regardless of whether they finish as a winner, a runner-up, or a school of distinction, the school teams being honoured by the Weston Awards are among the very best in the entire province." Cowley said.