Suffolk Public Schools got some good news this week: Five of the city’s public elementary schools earned distinction in the 2009 Virginia Index Performance awards.

Driver Elementary School and Northern Shores Elementary School earned the Board of Education’s VIP Excellence Award, and Oakland Elementary School, Robertson Elementary School and Southwestern Elementary School earned the Board of Education’s VIP Competence to Excellence Award.

The VIP awards are the highest honors in the VIP incentive program. The awards were developed by the State Board of Education to support schools meeting the challenge set forth by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to encourage advanced learning and achievement in public schools.

To qualify for these awards, schools must meet a handful of criteria, including meeting all state and federal goals for two consecutive years; they must also meet Kaine’s goals for certain class enrollments, certifications and performance.

The awards have three tiers: the Board of Education’s VIP Competence to Excellence Award, the Board of Education’s VIP Excellence Award and, the highest award, the Governor’s Award for Educational Awareness. Schools can earn bonus points to move up a tier through succeeding in various areas such as the Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard.

While no Suffolk school earned the highest award, officials said earning any recognition is a success.

“Each of these awards is a milestone on the journey to excellence,” Virginia Board of Education President Mark E. Emblidge said in a press release. “That more than half of the Commonwealth’s public schools qualified for a VIP award reflects the commitment of educators across Virginia to helping all students meet high standards for learning and achievement.”

A total of 24 school divisions and 544 schools in the state earned the Board of Education Excellence Award, and 10 school divisions and 276 schools earned the Board of Education Competence to Excellence Award.

The five Suffolk schools that were awarded will receive a resolution of commendation from the Board of Education for their hard work and success.