The state education department has declared four schools in the Baltimore area Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.

The award went to schools that performed exceptionally well or made significant jumps on standardized tests, or to schools with large populations of economically disadvantaged students that closed achievement gaps. The schools will receive visits from federal lawmakers and state schools chief Nancy Grasmick, and will be honored at a dinner in Annapolis by Gov. Martin O’Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and state lawmakers.