For the first time in six years, Campagna Academy Charter School made Adequate Yearly Progress under federal education guidelines.

The school and its students were commended Friday when a federal education official, visiting charter schools in the region, presented the schools with achievement plaques.

Todd Zoellick, deputy secretary and regional representative for the U.S. Department of Education, commended the schools on their progress in commemoration of National Charter Schools Week.

"I'm here today to celebrate the great things that are happening in charter schools and to learn about the best practices," he said.

Zoellick said charter schools offer students and parents an alternative to the traditional public school.

"Some of our students perform better and are successful in charter schools," he said.

He said not every charter school excelled on state standardized exams. But he said the schools are catching up and showing progress.

He said Gary public schools have put a plan in action and are working very hard to make improvements.

Barbara Hubert, Campagna principal and director of education, said Campagna was the first charter school in the region and serves 130 students in grades nine through 12.

Zoellick also visited the 21st Century Charter School, Lighthouse Academies and Thea Bowman Leadership Academy, all in Gary.