Officials at Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 are expressing disappointment over the elimination of the national Blue Ribbon Schools program, which was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 to recognize public and non-public schools for being exemplary in their academic performance or in closing achievement gaps between student groups.
The Trump administration ended the U.S. Department of Education program without warning in August after nominations had already been submitted for the year, as it downsizes the federal government’s role in education, saying it’s better handled by the states.
“We are disappointed that the award won’t be continued, as it honored the hard work of students and staff at schools across the country,” said Karen O’Connor, District 181’s director of communications.
District 181 has had eight of its nine schools win Blue Ribbon Schools awards:
2009: Clarendon Hills Middle School in Clarendon Hills
2009: Hinsdale Middle School in Hinsdale
2009: Madison Elementary in Hinsdale (1st award)
2011: The Lane Elementary in Hinsdale
2014: Oak Elementary in Hinsdale
2016: Monroe Elementary in Hinsdale
2019: Madison Elementary in Hinsdale (2nd Award)
2020: Elm Elementary in Burr Ridge
2021: Prospect Elementary in Clarendon Hills
In nearby Western Springs Elementary District 101, Superintendent Sarah Coffey said she was still weighing her reaction about the national Blue Ribbons Schools program being discontinued.
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“(The award has been) a meaningful recognition of the hard work of our students, staff, and community, and we’re proud to have earned it three times, she said, referring to McClure Junior High in 2010 and 2017 and Forest Hills Elementary in 2023. “At the same time, we also know that the true measure of a school goes far beyond any single award. Our priority will continue to be improving and delivering exceptional experiences for our students.”
There has been some talk about a similar program being created at the state level, but nothing has been finalized.
“At this time, details about the Blue Ribbon Schools program have not yet been finalized,” said Lindsay Record, press secretary for the Illinois State Board of Education. “We will provide an update as soon as information is available.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.