Governor lauds Illinois schools named National Blue Ribbon honorees

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner today congratulated the educators, students and parents at 24 Illinois learning centers recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018. The national recognition is granted based on an individual school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
 
"The teachers, students, administrators and parents at these schools should be very proud of achieving this remarkable honor," Rauner said. "It's great to see among the honorees both public and private places of learning located in small towns, urban areas and large cities across Illinois. Each school on this list is a shining example of what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication."  
 
The schools were named in a list provided this week by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

"I'm pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School," she said in a video message to the honorees. "We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students' accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs."
 
Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti attended an assembly this morning at Hickory Creek Middle School in Frankfort and congratulated the students and teachers for becoming the only Illinois middle school to be named a National Blue Ribbon School. Hickory Creek earned the same honor in 1993.
 
"This is proof that hard work, dedication, teamwork and a passion for a great education really pays off," Sanguinetti said. "This is such a prestigious honor and we are all so proud of you!"

All schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
 
• Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's subgroups and all students over the past five years.
 
Illinois schools recognized for 2018 are:

School Name                                                                       City
Aviston Elementary School                                                  Aviston
Butterfield Elementary School                                             Lombard
Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School                        Orland Hills
Edison Regional Gifted Center                                            Chicago
Evergreen Elementary School                                             Carol Stream
George Washington Elementary School                              Park Ridge
Giant City Community Consolidated School District 130     Carbondale
Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy              Chicago
Hickory Creek Middle School                                               Frankfort
Hynes Elementary School                                                    Morton Grove
Libertyville High School                                                       Libertyville
Meridian School                                                                   Buffalo Grove
Naperville North High School                                               Naperville
Parkview Elementary School                                               Columbia
Peoria Christian High School                                               Peoria
Proviso Math And Science Academy                                   Forest Park
Queen Of All Saints School                                                 Chicago
Sacred Heart School                                                           Winnetka
Saint Bede Elementary School                                           Ingleside
Saint Francis de Sales School                                            Lake Zurich
Saint Francis Xavier School                                                Wilmette
Saint Therese Chinese Catholic School                             Chicago
South Park Elementary School                                           Deerfield
Tremont Elementary School                                               Tremont

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. Nominations are invited from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools.
 
Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools. The Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with all honorees at an awards ceremony Nov. 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C.
 
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.