Two metro-east school districts were among the 18 in Illinois and 356 across the country to recently be named National Blue Ribbon Schools .
The U.S. Department of Education has been doling out the Blue Ribbon awards annually since 1982 based on schools’ overall academic performance or progress toward closing achievement gaps.
Mascoutah Elementary School in Mascoutah District 19 and Maryville Elementary School in Collinsville District 10 are among the schools to earn the distinction this year.
Last year, Lebanon Elementary School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for closing achievement gaps by over 14%.
“These schools reflect a statewide commitment to educational equity and excellence,” State Superintendent Tony Sanders said in a press release. “Thank you to the educators, administrators, families, and community members who work hard to make these schools centers of growth and achievement for each and every one of their students.”
There are two categories of Blue Ribbon awards. “Exemplary high performing schools” have their state’s highest high school graduation rates or the highest achieving students in English language arts and math according to state standardized tests.
“Exemplary achievement gap closing” schools have made the greatest progress in narrowing achievement gaps between student subgroups in English language arts and math, also measured by state testing.
Maryville Elementary School
Maryville Elementary School in Collinsville District 10 received a Blue Ribbon award for being an exemplary high performing school.
The school serves students from pre-K through fourth grade. Its enrollment was 380 on the most recent Illinois Report Card for the 2022-23 school year.
For English language arts, its proficiency rate was 64.3% compared to the state average of 35.4%. The school’s growth percentile — which indicates the growth of students relative to their academic peers across the state — was 55.4 compared to the state average of 50.
For math, its proficiency rate was 56.3% compared to the state average of 27.1%. The growth percentile was 44 compared to the state average, which is always the 50th percentile.
“I’m very happy for all of our students, families and staff. They are always willing to play an active role in supporting our school,” Principal Doug Kirk said in a press release. “Our strong PTA and community stakeholders have helped create a cohesive learning community in Maryville.”
“I want to recognize the hard work and dedication of our incredible staff, students and families at Maryville Elementary. Their commitment to high achievement and fostering social and emotional growth in students is truly commendable,” Collinsville 10 Superintendent Brad Skertich said. “Being named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School is a testament to their collective efforts, and we are thrilled to see them receive this well-deserved recognition.”
Mascoutah Elementary School
Mascoutah Elementary School in Mascoutah District 19 also received a Blue Ribbon award for being an exemplary high performing school.
The school serves students from pre-K through fifth grade. Its enrollment was 766 on the most recent Illinois Report Card for the 2022-23 school year.
For English language arts, its proficiency rate was 62% compared to the state average of 35.4%. The school’s growth percentile — which indicates the growth of students relative to their peers across the state — was 57.2 compared to the state average of 50.
For math, its proficiency rate was 51.2% compared to the state average of 27.1%. The growth percentile was 56.9 compared to the state average, which is always the 50th percentile.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, we are so proud of the students, families, teachers, staff, and administration at MES for this great recognition,” Mascoutah 19 Superintendent Dave Deets said in an email to the BND. “Honors like this don’t come easy and it’s a huge credit to the hard work and dedication of our entire team of professionals at MES - both past and present.
“It’s also a reflection of the amazing community here in Mascoutah. We are fortunate to have tremendous support from our families and community, and that partnership is evident in the success we are able to have not only at MES, but throughout the entire district. Congratulations to the entire school community of Mascoutah Elementary and I thank you for all that you do to make Mascoutah 19 such a special place.”
Illinois Blue Ribbon schools
Here are the 18 Illinois institutions recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools:
- Dunlap Middle School (Dunlap)
- H. H. Conrady Junior High School (Hickory Hills)
- Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy (Chicago)
- Heartland Elementary School (Geneva)
- Hickory Creek Middle School (Frankfort)
- Jefferson Elementary School (Elmhurst)
- John Hersey High School (Arlington Heights)
- Lake Zurich High School (Lake Zurich)
- Lake Zurich Middle School - North Campus (Hawthorn Woods)
- Maryville Elementary School (Maryville)
- Mascoutah Elementary School (Mascoutah)
- Naperville Central High School (Naperville)
- Neuqua Valley High School, (Naperville)
- Oak Grove School (Green Oaks)
- Palos East Elementary School (Palos Heights)
- Scott Elementary School (Naperville)
- St. Josaphat School (Chicago)
- St. Viator High School (Arlington Heights)
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