Four Northwest Cook County schools honored

Four schools in the Northwest suburbs are among 19 in Illinois that won Blue Ribbon awards, the U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday.

The schools are Greenbrier, 2330 N. Verde Drive, Arlington Heights, in Arlington Heights Elementary District 25; Robert Frost Junior High, 320 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg, in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54; Queen of the Rosary, 690 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village; and St. Emily, 1400 E. Central Road, Mount Prospect.

The list of all schools honored is on the U.S. Department of Education’s website ed.gov. Department of Education officials will visit each of the schools later this school year to deliver the award.

State education officials ask certain schools to apply, said Shelley Fabrizio, who was principal of Greenbriar for five years and now is principal at Windsor School in the same district.

“There was a big application process we had to go through,” said Fabrizio. “I am sure they honored us for our high achievement over the past six years and all the hard work we have done, including the fantastic application our team of teachers put together.”

Sarah Jerome, the district superintendent, praised the “wonderful education children are receiving thanks to the collaboration of staff and parents in making Greenbrier a joyful place for learning.”

All the Northwest suburban schools won the award for being high performing, which means the honor recognizes their high test scores. Schools with a significant population of disadvantaged students can also get the award for improved performance.

Last year no schools in the Northwest suburbs obtained the honor.

Other suburban schools honored include Mohawk Elementary School in Bensenville Elementary District 2, and Saint Joan of Arc in Lisle.