South Park Elementary In Deerfield Named Blue Ribbon School

DEERFIELD, IL — The U.S. Department of Education Monday named South Park Elementary School as a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School. The Deerfield school was selected among 24 Illinois schools as a winner of the prestigious honor. It was picked as an exemplary high performing school, based on all student scores, subgroups and graduation rates, according to the Department of Education.

The District 109 school was among 349 nationally recognized this year — 300 public and 49 private — for their academic excellence. The Blue Ribbon Schools program has honored over 8,800 schools that have managed top test scores or eliminated major gaps among students from different demographics in its 36-year history.

The Department of Education will honor all winning schools at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 7 and 8. In a video announcing the winners, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said she looks forward to meeting the winners and learning from their experiences.

"We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives," DeVos said. "Congratulations on your students' accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs."

Every year, up to 420 schools can be nominated. Public schools are nominated by top state and federal education officials, while private and parochial schools are selected by The Council for American Private Education.

Last year, Caruso Middle School and Kipling Elementary School were awarded the Blue Ribbon, and in 2016, Walden Elementary School and Shepard Middle School were both recognized. Wilmot Elementary was won a Blue Ribbon in 2008 and Deerfield High School was honored in 2014. Schools may only be named a Blue Ribbon designee once every eight years.

National Blue Ribbon School application and demographics via U.S. Department of Education:

South Park Elementary School (Blue Ribbon Application)

• Students: 415
• White: 84 percent
• Economically disadvantages: 22 percent
• Asian: 8 percent
• Two or more races: 8 percent
• English learners: 6 percent

Complete list of 2018 Illinois Blue Ribbon Schools

• 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