A great surprise Monday morning for the staff and students at O’Loughlin Elementary School in Hays.

The grade school has been selected as a National Title 1 Distinguished School by the state of Kansas.

O’Loughlin has had four years of sustained growth in achievement.  Among Title 1 schools, O’Loughlin’s student performance puts them at the top of the Kansas State Department of Education list.

Nancy Harman is the O’Loughlin principal.

The Title 1 program gives supplemental support to 175 USD 489 students in reading and math.  Schools must have 35% participation rate in the national free/reduced lunch program to qualify for Title 1 funding.  There are sic teachers providing Title 1 services throughout USD 489.