Ivy Hill Elementary named Blue Ribbon school

Students at Ivy Hill Elementary School in Arlington Heights are encouraged to be courageous. In fact, that's their slogan embedded in every classroom, every student/teacher interaction and throughout the hallways: "Be You. Be Courageous."

It was this courage that gave the teachers and staff the confidence to embark on the intense journey at applying to become a National Blue Ribbon School. In late September, the Eagles found out it paid off.

Ivy was named a 2019 recipient of the National Blue Ribbon recognition, something Principal Scott Kaese believes is indicative of the learning environment created at Ivy, which has led to academic growth.

"At Ivy Hill, we create space," Kaese said. "Students and teachers step into a fearless space to pursue their passions, engage in connections, and explore their courage, which creates growth.

"Our teachers, front office staff, lunch staff, volunteers, facilities and our community hold this space, both physical and energetically, for our students to be present with who they are and learn from there," Kaese said.

What Ivy has discovered is that by allowing this space for students and staff to be themselves, they became a place where students thrive academically and socially. Their students connect to their learning and feel a personal investment to be their best.

Ivy Hill's students performed "Higher Than Expected Growth" in two of the last three years on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test, which measures the amount of relative growth a student experiences from year to year.

Ivy Hill was named in the top 20 of current elementary schools in the suburbs by Chicago Magazine in September as well.

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