Bryan Middle School, Lincoln Elementary All Dressed Up with a Brand New Ribbon

Two schools in Elmhurst Unit District 205 are standing out nationally for earning an honor that brings pride to the whole community.

and were both honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. District 205 Superintendent David Pruneau brought special attention to the two schools at Monday's School Board meeting.

"This is a significant accomplishment that is indicative of all the work that goes on in all our schools," he said.

He said in the state of Illinois, a total of 21 schools received Blue Ribbon Awards. Only 13 of those are public schools, and of those, two are Elmhurst schools.

"That says volumes about the dedication of staff, employees, the expectations of parents in Elmhurst … there's something good going on in Elmhurst on a daily basis," Pruneau said.

A total of 269 schools will be recognized nationwide, based on their overall academic excellence (exemplary high-performing schools) or based on improvement in student achievement (exemplary improving schools). The Elmhurst schools were among the 21 Illinois high-performing schools.

Lincoln Principal Kathleen Tomei said she is "mindful of the many people who have contributed to Lincoln’s excellence."

"Lincoln is a community made up of supportive parents, students eager to learn and master teachers who constantly strive to improve their practice," Tomei said in a prepared statement. "It is only through the collaboration of all that Lincoln is able to be a Blue Ribbon School.”

High performing Blue Ribbon Schools are measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Bryan Principal John Glimco noted that there are nearly 100,000 public schools nationwide, and less than 1/2 of 1 percent are recognized as a Blue Ribbon Schools.

"This award is not from a single moment of time but reflective of all the great students, staff and families over the years who have helped make Bryan the vibrant educational community it is today," Glimco said in a prepared statement.

The schools will serve as models for other schools, and details of their achievements will be posted on the U.S. Department of Education's website.

Lincoln and Bryan will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Pruneau said.

"You never get over that experience, of being invited to Washington by the president to have that honor," he said.

To see a list of all the Blue Ribbon schools, click here.