Highlands Elementary Receives Blue Ribbon Honor

Highlands Elementary School received one of the highest honors in education on Thursday when it was named a Blue Ribbon School. The school was one of 304 private and public schools to receive the honor, and one of only 16 nominated from Illinois, according to a news release from School District 203.

Secretary Duncan stated in the release that: "Schools honored with the Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to achievement and to ensuring that students learn and succeed. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and must receive a quality education."

Highlands Elementary was selected as a "high performing" school, as measured on state assessments over the last five school years. Highlands is the second District 203 school to earn this special recognition, following Kennedy Junior High School, which was honored in 2002 and 2008.

Susan Stuckey, principal of Highlands Elementary, attributed the academic success of the school to very active parent groups and the fact that students are learning the value of being self-directed learners and complex thinkers, both of which contribute to high achievement.

"Our teachers and support staff provide innovative instruction through a cohesive curriculum that is refined so every child can succeed," she said in the release.

Stuckey and a teacher from the school will attend an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 15-16.

A list of 2010 Blue Ribbon Schools is available at: www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2010/index.html. For more information about the programs, including Highlands' application, visit
www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.