Illinois establishes Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program

Posted October 10, 2025 1:18 pm

William Fremd High School in Palatine is among the Illinois public schools recognized by the now discontinued National Blue Ribbon School Award program and the newly created Illinois Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com, May 19, 2025

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the state education board joined school leaders, teachers, and students Friday to launch the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program and celebrate the 2025 recipients of the discontinued National Blue Ribbon School Award.

Twenty-eight schools from across Illinois — including several suburban public and private schools — received the 2025 designation for demonstrating exemplary academic performance.

Among the public schools are: William Fremd High School in Palatine; Kennedy Junior High School in Lisle; Liberty Intermediate School in Libertyville; and Sarah Adams Elementary School in Lake Zurich.

“This award is a testament to the Culture of Excellence that defines Fremd High School — and proof that when we are Mighty, Brave and Bold, excellence follows,” Principal Mark Langer said. “We are deeply proud of this honor and grateful to the State of Illinois for continuing to recognize schools of distinction. This recognition belongs to every person at Fremd, and celebrates the daily commitment each educator, staff member and administrator brings to our students, parents and community.”

William Fremd High School in Palatine is among the 28 Illinois schools recognized as a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School, and subsequently honored by the newly established Governor's Blue Ribbon Schools program. Award recipients include Kennedy Junior High School in Lisle; Liberty Intermediate School in Libertyville; and Sarah Adams Elementary School in Lake Zurich. Courtesy of District 211

Eleven Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools and two Christian schools are among the Illinois private schools recognized with Blue Ribbons. The awardee list includes Ascension Catholic School and St. Giles School, both in Oak Park, St. Norbert School in Northbrook, St. Anne Catholic School in Barrington, Timothy Christian School (prekindergarten through eighth grade) in Elmhurst, Wheaton Academy in West Chicago, and Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest.

“We are proud that so many of our Catholic schools are recognized among Illinois’ best,” said Greg Richmond, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, the third-largest in the U.S. serving more than 1.9 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties. “This distinction reflects the faith, dedication, and academic excellence that define our school communities. It’s a testament to the hard work of our principals, teachers, and students who live out our mission every day.”

Woodlands Academy in Lake Forest is among 13 Illinois private schools recognized by the now discontinued National Blue Ribbon School Award program and the newly created Illinois Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program. Courtesy of Woodlands Academy

On Aug. 29, the U.S. Department of Education announced it is discontinuing the National Blue Ribbon Award program, an annual recognition of academic excellence in public and private schools since 1982. The 2025 recipients from Illinois already had been selected before the federal program was axed. But awardees were told there would be no public recognition of their achievements this year.

That prompted the establishment of Illinois’ new statewide recognition.

“At a moment when quality education is more important than ever, we will never abandon our pursuit of academic excellence or recognition of the teachers and students doing the hard work every day — that’s why we are proud to honor 28 Illinois schools as part of the new Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program,” Pritzker said in a news release. “Illinois will always strive to give our students and schools the tools and support they need to succeed. Nothing is more important than our children, and education is the foundation of strong communities, the stability of our democracy, and the health of our economy.”

School performance, graduation rates, and proficiency in key subjects continue to improve statewide, according to the Illinois School Report Card. And Illinois now ranks third in the nation for education, according to the release.

The Illinois State Board of Education will manage the Blue Ribbon Schools application process going forward.

“Being designated a Governor’s Blue Ribbon School is an incredible distinction, and these schools deserve to be celebrated,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders. “For more than 40 years, earning the prestigious national award served as a badge of honor for students, staff, and families. Illinois is proud to carry on that tradition this year and to recognize the outstanding achievements of our students and educators. I congratulate this year’s honorees for their tremendous accomplishments and thank them for serving as models of excellence for schools across the state.”

Leaders of all Governor’s Blue Ribbon districts and schools will be invited to a special recognition at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield this spring.