The award was given this year to 263 elementary and secondary schools in the country. Riner was one of six schools in Virginia to receive the award, and the only one west of Richmond.
Principal Keith Rowland said the pupils wore blue ribbons on their shirts Friday, and the staff was almost giddy.
"We just felt good about making the first cut back in November," he said.
Representatives from the state Department of Education visited the school in the fall and a national group visited in April. Rowland said the U.S. Department of Education pared down the list from about 5,000 applicants nationwide.
Schools are judged on parental involvement, teaching methods and ability to adapt to change. Rowland said about 87 percent of parents are members of the PTA. Working with Virginia Tech on projects and extensive use of technology helped the school too, he said.
In September, representatives from Riner will attend a reception in Washington, D.C. with President Clinton. Locally, Rowland said the staff had already reserved a room at the Farmhouse Restaurant, just in case. They'll hold a celebration June 2.