North Shore Catholic Schools Win Blue Ribbon Award Of Excellence

WINNETKA, IL — The U.S. Department of Education Monday named two North Shore Catholic schools among the winners of the 2018 National Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence. St. Francis Xavier School in Wilmette and Sacred Heart School in Winnetka were among 24 winners of the prestigious distinction, which recognizes academic excellence or narrowing achievement gaps among groups of students.

Both schools were selected as exemplary high performing schools, based on all student scores, subgroups and graduation rates, according to the Department of Education. St. Francis Xavier earned the honor on the first year it has been eligible to reapply for the Blue Ribbon after its previous recognition in 2012, and Sacred Heart School in Winnetka has also been recognized since 2009 as an Apple Distinguished school for its use of technology to inspire critical thinking, collaboration and creativity.

The Chicago Archdiocese elementary schools were 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. Last year, two Wilmette schools earned the Blue Ribbon honor: Romona Elementary School in District 39 and St. Joseph School.

“There are so many reasons our school is a truly special place to learn and grow, not only because of our test scores, which rank us in the top 15% in the country in English and mathematics, but also because of our commitment to meeting the individual needs of each child,” said Principal Kristen Fink. She credited the total dedication and commitment of Sacred Heart's teaching staff as the primary reason for the award. “Every day, they go above and beyond to make sure every student is successful."

The Department of Education will honor the 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.

Each school's complete National Blue Ribbon School application and demographics from the U.S. Department of Education:

St. Francis Xavier (Application)

• Students: 393
• White: 92 percent
• Two or more races: 6 percent
• Asian: 2 percent
• English learners: 1 percent

Sacred Heart School (Application)

• Students: 174
• White: 95 percent
• Hispanic: 2 percent
• Asian: 2 percent
• Two or more races: 1 percent
• English learners: 1 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