Spokesperson Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced on Sept. 26, 2019, that the United States Department of Education will honor 312 public and 50 private schools for their academic excellence with their most distinguished recognition. Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools receive National Blue Ribbon School recognition in one of two categories: exemplary high performing and exemplary improving. Ivy Hall–one of twenty-five Illinois schools honored–is recognized as an exemplary high-performing school, as measured by state assessments.
It is the second National Blue Ribbon awarded to Ivy Hall.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program was founded in 1982. District 96 schools received National Blue Ribbon recognition in 2007 (Twin Groves Middle School), 2008 (Ivy Hall Elementary), 2009 (Woodlawn Middle School), 2012 (Kildeer Elementary), 2013 (Twin Groves Middle School), 2016 (Woodlawn Middle School), and 2017 (Prairie Elementary).
In mid November, Ivy Hall Principal Bob Hanrahan joined an Ivy Hall faculty member in accepting the school’s 2019 National Blue Ribbon award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., honoring nationwide leaders in academic achievement. Likewise, school staff and students hosted a local celebration at Ivy Hall on Dec. 5, including students, families, faculty, administrators, Board of Education members, and community dignitaries.
