The Hawaii Department of Education has named three Oahu schools as winners of a contest modeled after President Obama’s 2001 Race to the Top Commencement Challenge.

Public and charter high schools statewide submitted essays illustrating how a culture of student and academic success was being established and perpetuated at their school.

Each school’s college and career preparation data were also evaluated.

First place went to Roosevelt High School, which won a $10,000 check from The Learning Coalition.

Second place went to Kahuku High and Intermediate School, which won a $5,000 check form First Hawaiian Bank.

Kaimuki High School took third place, winning $2,000 from the Island Insurance Foundation.