Enchanted Lake, Heeia and Hokulani elementary schools will represent the islands this year in the national Blue Ribbon schools campaign, which recognizes campuses with super-high test scores or those making impressive gains.

The announcement was made Thursday in Waikiki in front of a crowd of principals, teachers and students from past Blue Ribbon winner schools and "distinguished schools" that were in the running for the Blue Ribbon honor.

Principals from the three winning schools agreed the kudos for the brag-worthy award go to their teachers and students who have managed to see year-over-year gains despite serious budget problems duringthe economic downturn.

"It is a congratulations to all of our teachers and students" for the gains they have made, said Enchanted Lake Principal Puaala McElhaney, who has been at the school for a decade. "We support our children and support our classrooms."

This year, 88 percent of students at Enchanted Lake Elementary tested proficient in reading, up from 73 percent five years ago. Some 83 percent were proficient in math, from 65 percent in the 2006-07 school year.

The school, with 470 students, has also seen its test scores skyrocket for special-education students. In the 2007-08 school year, 16 percent of special-education students were proficient in reading. This year, 64 percent are. In math this year, 48 percent tested proficient, up from 35 percent in 2007-08.

Heeia Elementary has also shown big improvements, thanks to a curriculum "driven by teachers," said Principal Dwight Uetake. The state Blue Ribbon honor "validates the hard work our teachers put in. It comes down to good teaching."

Five years ago 59 percent of students were proficient in reading. This year that number is 81 percent. In math 72 percent of students are proficient, up from 49 percent. Economically disadvantaged students have seen similar gains, with 74 percent proficient this year in reading, and 61 percent proficient in math.

About half of students at Heeia Elementary come from low-income families.

The Blue Ribbon program recognizes schools nationwide that show dramatic improvements in test scores or achieve scores in the top 10 percent of schools in their state in reading and math. Hawaii’s 2011 Blue Ribbon schools will go on to compete for the prestigious national Blue Ribbon designation.

On Thursday the Hawaii Blue Ribbon schools each received $3,000.

Hokulani Elementary Principal Alan Ramos said he’s got a plan for a portion of that money. He wants to buy cake and ice cream for the whole school.

The rest will probably go toward classroom technology.

This year 84 percent of Hokulani students tested proficient in math, up a whopping 17 percentage points from the 2009-10 school year, when 67 percent were proficient. Meanwhile, 89 percent were proficient in reading, from 82 percent last year and 78 percent in the 2006-07 school year.

"It’s great to have our school recognized," Ramos said.

Since 1988, 63 public schools have been nominated to the national Blue Ribbon Schools program, and 43 have received national Blue Ribbon honors.

Hokulani is the only school honored Thursday that has been a Hawaii Blue Ribbon school before. The campus last received the designation in the 2004-05 school year and went on to be named a national Blue Ribbon school winner, too.