For the second time, Brook Forest School has been selected by the United States Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School.
The Oak Brook elementary school previously received the award in 2014, joining Butler Elementary District 53′s Butler Junior High as a two-time winner. The junior high received the Blue Ribbon award in 2015 and 2021.
The Blue Ribbon recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Brook Forest’s recognition was forte its overall academic performance.
“As Brook Forest celebrated its 50th year of educating children last year, this is such a fitting honor and recognition for our students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators,” District 53 Superintendent Paul O’Malley said.
O’Malley gave kudos to Principal Andrea Prola, Assistant Principal Lisa Owen and several others for the school’s success.
“ (The teachers who) go above and beyond to personalize learning for each student in their classroom, our amazing students who are committed to striving to be the best version of themselves each day, and our wonderful parents who continue to provide a positive partnership with us,” he said.
Prola said a very comprehensive learning program is only part of what makes Brook Forest successful.
“We also support the whole child and work well as a team,” she said. “We have such a super group of parents, who play a huge role, and we also have great support from our police and fire departments.”
Brook Forest was one of 297 school recognized in 2022 with a National Blue Ribbon award. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department of Education invites nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education.
“As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. “Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”
Brook Forest students, teachers and staff celebrated the National Blue Ribbon award Friday with a gathering outside the school.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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