Suburban schools named 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon winners

Suburban schools were among the 16 public and eight private institutions Illinois is honoring for exemplary academic achievement through a state initiative that models the now-defunct federal Blue Ribbon program canceled by the Trump administration.

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education on Tuesday recognized the 24 schools as 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools during a ceremony at John Mills Elementary School in Elmwood Park.

Now in its second year, the program celebrates schools that demonstrate educational excellence through high academic achievement or significant progress in closing achievement gaps.

Among the public schools that made the list:

• Builta Elementary School in Bolingbrook (High Performing)

• Cumberland Elementary School in Des Plaines (High Performing)

• Glenbrook South High School in Glenview (High Performing)

• May Whitney Elementary School in Lake Zurich (High Performing)

• Vernon Hills High School in Vernon Hills (High Performing)

Eight Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools in Chicago, Evanston and Westchester were among the high-performing private schools honored with the Blue Ribbon designation.

“I want to congratulate our 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools, who demonstrate what is possible when students, educators, families, and communities come together to support our children in reaching their full potential,” Pritzker said in a news release. “All across the state, Illinois schools are reaching new heights in school performance, graduation rates, and learning proficiency — a testament to the passion and dedication of our teachers and the power of sustained public investment in education.” ​

The state established its Blue Ribbon program last year shortly after the Trump administration abruptly canceled the U.S. Department of Education’s annual recognition of academic excellence in public and private schools since 1982.

Twenty-eight schools from across Illinois — including several suburban public and private schools — received the 2025 designation. Among them were: 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. Eleven Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools and two Christian schools were among the Illinois private schools recognized with Blue Ribbons last year.

School performance, graduation rates, and proficiency in key subjects continue to improve statewide, according to the 2025 Illinois School Report Card.

“Being named a Governor's Blue Ribbon School is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work of students, educators, staff, and families,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said in the release. “These schools have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success, whether through exceptional academic performance or meaningful progress in closing achievement gaps. Their accomplishments reflect the strength of Illinois education and provide examples of excellence for schools across our state.”

Blue Ribbon honorees will be invited to a special recognition event at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield this spring.

mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com