Lake Forest High School Named 2021 National Blue Ribbon School

LAKE FOREST, IL — The U.S. Department of Education for the first time awarded Lake Forest High School with its prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools designation.

Lake Forest High School is one of 18 Illinois schools to receive recognition as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School. Nationwide, the Education Department named 325 schools, including 302 public and 23 private schools, in the 39th year of the program.

Up to 420 schools a year are invited to apply, and schools may only win the award once within a five-year period. Nominees are selected by top education officials in states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The Education Department recognizes winners in two categories — exemplary high performing schools and exemplary achievement gap closing schools. Lake Forest High School was awarded in the high-performing category, which uses state assessments or nationally normed tests to identify the top schools.

Lake Forest High School Principal Erin Lenart and Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Superintendent Matt Montgomery praised the community they each relocated from out of state to join ahead of the start of the 2021-22 school year.

"As new school and District leaders, this award is a reminder of just how fortunate Dr. Montgomery and I are to have been selected to serve such an exemplary school and community," Lenart said in a statement. 'We look forward to all that lies ahead for LFHS, and hope that today each member of our school community will pause to celebrate the shared accomplishment of becoming a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School."

The school's application for the award notes that District 115 had a gradual in-person opening during the 2020-21 school year and switched to remote from November to mid-January before welcoming students back after spring break. According to the application, 75 percent of the school's students were attending in-person every day and 25 percent opted for continued remote learning.

"This is an award that belongs to LFHS Scouts past and present," Montgomery said in a statement. "We are grateful for the leadership and vision of our former Lake Forest High School Principal, Dr. Chala Holland, and former Superintendent, Mr. Michael Simeck; for the dedication, expertise, and professionalism of our esteemed faculty and staff; the tireless encouragement and support of the Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood communities; and, of course, the steadfast effort of our students, without whom none of this would be possible."

Among the nearly 1,500 students who graduated in the class of 2020, 88 percent enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program, 4 percent enrolled in a community college and 0 percent found employment or entered public service, while the post-graduation status of the other 8 percent was listed as "other," according to the application.

This year's nominees "illustrate what is possible" during tough times, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a news release.

"I commend this school and all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs," Cardona said. "In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children."

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