Eisenhower Academy Named One of the Best Schools in the Nation

U.S. Secretary of Education, John B. King, Jr., announced that Eisenhower Academy has been named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School. Eisenhower is among 279 public and 50 private schools receiving this honor this year, including 21 Illinois schools. Eisenhower Academy is the only 2016 National Blue Ribbon School in Will County.

Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, Principal Wendy Wolgan, and Fifth Grade Teacher Jacque Toth represented Eisenhower Academy at the two-day awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. held November 7-8, where they heard from Secretary King and other esteemed educators, shared best practices with each other, and celebrated their hard-won achievements.

Each school also received a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama. In the letter he said, “This event celebrates schools that have worked to close achievement gaps and provide students with the resources they need to reach for their greatest aspirations. By coming together to honor excellence in education, you are recognizing not only the work of institutions, but also the work of dedicated individuals – teachers, administrators, and family members – who have given their all to ensure America’s youth know no limits to what they can accomplish.”

“National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers,” King said, “All of you–students, teachers and administrators–deserve our highest praise. You are shining examples for your communities, your state, and the nation.”

“On behalf of the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors and the entire Administration, we congratulate Eisenhower Academy,” said Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “The entire school community including students, staff, and parents, work together to make Eisenhower a school of excellence.”

The school recently held a Blue Ribbon School Celebration for Eisenhower students, teachers, administrators, retired teachers, parents, and community members. Activities included the Student Glee Club performing, students sharing school highlights, congratulatory remarks, and the raising of the 2016 National Blue Ribbon School flag.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are on education’s cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices from professional learning communities and project-based learning to social and emotional learning and positive behavior systems. Schools are nominated by the state department of education and then complete a comprehensive application about school practices. Schools may be nominated as Exemplary High Performing—among the top schools in a state—or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing—schools making the fastest progress in their state in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Eisenhower Academy was nominated as an Exemplary High Performing School.

For more information about Eisenhower Academy, contact the school office at (815) 723-0233 or visit www.joliet86.org. For more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, please visit http://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/