Joliet School Selected as 2016 Blue Ribbon Award Winner

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet school is among only 329 nationwide to receive a 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools award, the U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday.

The Joliet Blue Ribbon award winner is Eisenhower Academy, located at 406 Burke Drive in Joliet.

“I am so proud of the students and staff at Eisenhower for receiving this prestigious award,” said Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent for Joliet Public Schools District 86. “The teachers, students and parents work very closely to support learning through the school year.”

The Department of Education picks the schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, according to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program website.

According to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program website:

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school’s building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and a model for schools still striving for excellence. Now in its 34th year, the U. S. Department of Education has bestowed this coveted award on fewer than 8,500 schools.

Of the 329 schools selected, 279 are public and 50 are private. All schools, including 21 Illinois winners, will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 7 and 8.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are an "inspiration and a model," the Department of Education said in announcing the selected schools.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers," U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. said in a video message to honorees. "Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices—professional learning communities, project-based learning, social and emotional learning, positive behavior systems—making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation."
The other Illinois schools to receive a 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools award are:

• Alan B. Shepard Middle School, 440 Grove Place in Deerfield
• Damiansville Elementary School, 101 East Main Street in Damiansville
• Daniel Wright Junior High School, 1370 North Riverwoods Road in Lincolnshire
• Earl Pritchett School, 200 Horatio Boulevard in Buffalo Grove
• Half Day School, 239 Olde Half Day Road in Lincolnshire
• Kennedy Junior High School, 2929 Green Trails Drive in Lisle
• Monroe Elementary School, 210 North Madison Street in Hinsdale
• Oak Grove School, 1700 South O'Plaine Road in Green Oaks
• Sager Solomon Schechter Day School, 3210 Dundee Road in Northbrook
• St. Daniel the Prophet School, 5337 South Natoma Avenue in Chicago
• Saint Juliana School, 7400 W Touhy Avenue in Chicago
• St. Paul Lutheran School, 18 South School Street in Mt. Prospect
• Skinner North Elementary School, 640 West Scott Street in Chicago
• Tripp Elementary School, 850 Highland Grove Drive in Buffalo Grove
• Tri-Valley Elementary School, 409 East Washington Street in Downs
• Walden Elementary School, 630 Essex Court in Deerfield
• Woodlawn Middle School, 6362 Gilmer Road in Long Grove
• Countryside Elementary School, 205 West County Line Road in Barrington
• Grove Avenue Elementary School, 900 South Grove Avenue in Barrington
• Saint Anne Parish School, 319 Franklin Street in Barrington

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