William Fremd H.S. Earns Blue Ribbon Designation

PALATINE, IL — William Fremd High School has been selected as one of the best schools in the nation after recently being picked as a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon school. William Fremd is among a handful of local schools, including Ivy Hall Elementary School in Buffalo Grove, Ivy Hill Elementary School in Arlington Heights and Saint Raymond School in Mount Prospect, that have been picked as 2019 Blue Ribbon award winners, U.S. Department of Education officials announced this past week.

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School,” said Fremd High School Principal Kurt Tenopir. “Fremd High School is extremely fortunate to have a talented and caring faculty, strong parent involvement and community support, and resources to provide rich educational opportunities for all students.”

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at very high levels, or where significant progress has been made in raising student achievement.

Now in its 37th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 9,000 schools. On November 14 and 15, the Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with 312 public and 50 non-public school honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“By fostering meaningful connections and helping students truly develop a sense of belonging in all of our schools, students are responding very positively,” said District 211 Superintendent Dr. Daniel Cates. “This great work is taking place throughout the District and this recognition affirms that everyone’s efforts make a difference for students. The Blue Ribbon puts a little wind in people’s sails and it is a great way to affirm everyone’s hard across the district. Today, we all celebrate excellent teachers, engaging courses, and a career pathway for each student.”

Suburban schools recently chosen for the 2019 Blue Ribbon designation include:

• William Fremd High School, Palatine
• Saint Raymond School, Mount Prospect
• Saints Cyril and Methodius School (private), Lemont
• St. Athanasius School (private), Evanston
• Timothy Christian High School (private), Elmhurst
• Wheaton Academy (private), West Chicago
• Ivy Hall Elementary School, Buffalo Grove
• Adlai Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire
• Hawthorn South Elementary School, Vernon Hills
• Alphonsus Academy & Center For The Arts (private), Chicago
• Bannockburn School, Bannockburn
• Eastview Elementary School, Algonquin
• Glen Oaks Elementary School, Hickory Hills
• Ivy Hill Elementary School, Arlington Heights
• Kingsley Elementary School, Naperville
• Madison Elementary School, Hinsdale
• Maine South High School, Des Plaines
• Old St. Mary's School (private), Chicago
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy (private), Chicago
• Prescott Elementary School, Chicago
• Roslyn Road Elementary School, Barrington
• Saint Benedict Preparatory School (private), Chicago

More information regarding this year's Blue Ribbon schools can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website.