Southwest Junior High School is among the state’s top-performing schools, according to the Kansas State Department of Education.

Southwest is among 11 junior high or middle schools to receive a Governor’s Achievement Award, given to schools that in 2010:

• Earned the Kansas Standard of Excellence in both reading and math for 2010.

• Made Adequate Yearly Progress in reading, math and attendance.

• Ranked in the top 5 percent of schools for performance on state assessments in reading and math.

“I’m kind of blown away,” said Trish Bransky, principal at Southwest, 2511 Inverness Drive. “We’ve really worked hard through the years and seen achievement levels increment up. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff, working really hard, in an interdisciplinary way, on reading and math issues, and it shows.

“And I couldn’t be prouder of our kids. I think they get that achievement is important. They work hard on a day-to-day basis, and I can’t wait to share this with them.”

Diane DeBacker, the state’s education commissioner, also has informed officials at 41 elementary schools and 17 high schools that they, too, have won Governor’s Achievement Awards.

Rick Doll, superintendent of the Lawrence school district, plans to present the award plaque and congratulate Southwest’s students, administrators, teachers and support staffers during a school assembly in January.

Broken Arrow School, 2704 La., won a Governor’s Achievement Award in 2007.