It's easy to be awestruck by how much each of the 20 profiled winners of the second annual Intel & Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards has accomplished. These outstanding schools — selected from an initial pool of more than 3000 — completed a comprehensive application process, which included three judging phases and a final site visit. The schools have won a total of  over $3 million in cash and prizes, donated by the Intel Foundation and other corporate sponsors.  

Representatives from the winning schools also received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in an awards gala on Oct. 6. At the gala one primary and one secondary school, selected from among this year's honorees, were named "Best of the Best." These winners received an additional $15,000 grant from the Intel Foundation.

See a complete list of our 2005 Award Finalists here.

Best of the Best Academy of Allied Health and Science Neptune, N.J. J. Stanford International School Seattle, Wash. Academic Achievement El Magnet At Reagan Elementary Odessa, Texas KIPP Gaston College Preparatory Gaston, N.C. Leadership Excellence Northwest High School Justin, Texas Cordova Middle School Phoenix, Ariz. Literacy Achievement J. P. McConnell Middle School Loganville, Ga. Auburn Early Education Center Auburn, Ala. Technology Innovation Lincoln Academy Lakeland, Fla. Mabry Middle School Marietta, Ga.

Technology Excellence Advanced Technologies Academy Las Vegas, Nev. Lee Elementary School of Technology Tampa, Fla. Professional Development Cresthill Middle School Highlands Ranch, Colo. St. Raphael the Archangel Elementary School Louisville, Ky. Science Achievement Phelps Elementary School Phelps, Ky. West Hawaii Explorations Academy Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Teamwork (Internal) Middletown High School Middletown, Md. Washington Elementary School Kingsport, Tenn. Mathematics Achievement Fullerton IV Elementary School Roseburg, Ore. Rocky River High School Rocky River, Ohio