Pleasantdale Elementary School wins National Blue Ribbon

Pleasantdale Elementary School in La Grange is a recipient of the 2023 National Blue Ribbon School award by the U.S. Department of Education. Pleasantdale Elementary is among 313 public schools receiving the nation's highest honor for academic performance.

Pleasantdale Elementary School was nominated by the Illinois State Board of Education and is being recognized as an Exemplary High-Performing School based on student scores on the 2022 state assessments in reading, English language arts and mathematics. To qualify, the school-wide performance scored in the top 15% in the state and in the top 40% for each subgroup of students in all three testing areas.

"It is a tremendous honor for the Pleasantdale Elementary students and staff to be recognized for their achievement with the National Blue Ribbon," said Superintendent Dr. Dave Palzet. "This is a highly competitive award and demonstrates the commitment of our staff and students to maintain focus on continuous improvement in the school environment and student learning."

The core of Pleasantdale Elementary's success is the belief that all members of the school community are an integral part of creating a school where students thrive. Teachers and administrators are driven to grow, and parents feel valued as partners in their child's learning, allowing us to make decisions that focus on what is best for students. Students sit at the center of all we do. The school is not a top-down organization, but rather a boots-on-the-ground family of education professionals who intertwine experience and expertise to lift up the entire school community. Principal Kathleen Tomei said, "It is the close collaboration among staff members, and in turn collaboration of our staff members with Pleasantdale Elementary families, that leads to educating the whole child."

In a Sept. 19 press release, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, "The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education."

This is the second time Pleasantdale Elementary School has earned a Blue Ribbon with the previous honor happening in 1996-1997. Ms. Tomei will travel to Washington, D.C. to accept the award November 17. A special assembly at the school is being planned to celebrate this honor.