PALATINE, Ill. (WLS) -- U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona was in northwest suburban Palatine Tuesday morning to recognize the country's 325 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021.
Secretary Cardona made the announcement during a tour of his Return School Road trip while at Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School. It's one of this year's 18 Illinois Blue Ribbon schools.
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"Now we're here at the beginning of a new school year. It's a time of possibility, a time opportunity a time of hope and few things are more hopeful than the smiles of the faces of the students that I see in front of me," said Cardona.
The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups.
Secretary Cardona is currently on a bus tour of the country showcasing how students and communities are safely returning to in-person learning.
SEE ALSO: Mayor Lightfoot 'disappointed' with CPS COVID-19 testing rolloutNow in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools.
2021 Illinois National Blue Ribbon Schools
Centralia - Raccoon Consolidated School District 1, Raccoon Consolidated School District 1.Chicago - Disney II Magnet High School, City of Chicago School District 299.Chicago - Prosser Career Academy High School, City of Chicago School District 299.[Ads /]
Chicago - Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, City of Chicago School District 299.Clarendon Hills - Prospect Elementary School, Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181.Eldorado - Eldorado Middle School, Eldorado Community Unit School District 4.Highland Park - Braeside Elementary School, North Shore School District 112.Hinsdale - Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale Township High School District 86.Lake Forest - Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest Community High School District 115.Lake Villa - Prince Of Peace School, Archdiocese of Chicago School District.Mundelein - Carmel Catholic High School, Carmel Catholic.[Ads /]
Northbrook - Maple School, Northbrook/Glenview School District 30.Oak Brook - Butler Junior High School, Butler School District 53.Okawville - Okawville Grade School, West Washington County Community School District 10.Palatine - Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15.Park Ridge - Lincoln Middle School, Park Ridge-Niles School District #64.Taylorville - Taylorville Jr High School, Taylorville Community Unit School District 3.Westmont - Westmont High School, Community Unit School District 201.