Ellinwood Grade School, Central Plains Grade School-Holyrood, and several Great Bend schools have been notified that they are recipients of Certificates of Merit as a part of the 11th annual Challenge Awards from the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force. This award recognizes schools for outstanding achievement and uncommon accomplishment based on 2013 Kansas Assessment results and other qualifying factors, such as sample size and socioeconomic status.In Great Bend, Eisenhower School received a Certificate of Merit for 6th grade reading, Great Bend Middle School for eighth grade math, and Jefferson School for 6th grade math.CPES received Certificates of Merit for 4th grade math and reading. “It’s a whole school effort,” said Superintendent of USD 112 Jim Runge.