Illinois State Board of Education

Shout out to Community Consolidated School District 181's Walker Elementary for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for their dedication to excellence in education. Keep up the great work!

Next stop on ISBE's Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan listening tour? Northern Illinois University on Oct. 22! 🔹Read the first draft: https://okt.to/9zAbGi 🔹Sign up to provide your feedback on the first draft: https://okt.to/lLRxCQ

Last week, we hosted the quarterly meeting of the Interstate Migrant Education Council -- leaders from about 30 states in a Migrant Education Program (MEP) that serves the children of migratory farmworkers as well as youth younger than age 22 who work in agricultural, meatpacking and food processing sectors. The group is led by Executive Director Francisco Garcia (in the red tie). Tony Sanders (in the blue tie, standing next to our Executive Director of Specialized Instruction Joyce Gronewold) provided the welcome message, in which he likened the work done by MEP to a grove of Aspen trees -- interconnected and mutually supportive. Joanne Clyde (left), director of our Multilingual and Language Development Department, provided an overview of Illinois' Migrant Education Program. The MEP was established in 1966 by Congress to provide supplemental educational and support services to the children of migratory agricultural workers, helping them overcome challenges like frequent moves, language barriers and interrupted schooling so they can meet state academic standards and graduate from high school. #OutAndAboutWithISBE

Shout out to Sunset Ridge Elementary School for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for their dedication to excellence in education. Keep up the great work!

Kudos to Lake Zurich CUSD 95's Sarah Adams Elementary for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for demonstrating exemplary academic performance. Thank you for fostering an environment where every child can reach their full potential.

Congratulations to Chicago Public Schools' Prescott Elementary on being named a 2025 Illinois Governor’s #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! This recognition highlights schools that exemplify academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps. Thank you for inspiring every child to reach their full potential.

Shout out to Lincoln-Way East High School for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for their dedication to excellence in education. Keep up the great work!

Shout out to Pleasantdale Middle School for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for their dedication to excellence in education. Keep up the great work!

Dr. Jaclyn Lennox, Bolingbrook High School’s assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, today received the prestigious Milken Family Foundation Educator Award in a surprise assembly attended by dignitaries including Dr. Keith Wood, superintendent of Valley View 365U, Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta, and of course our own Tony Sanders. Dr. Lennox is this year's sole Milken recipient in Illinois. She received a $25,000 cash award and will enjoy mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles, as well a trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum to network with colleagues and other education leaders.

Kudos to Mascoutah Middle School for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for demonstrating exemplary academic performance. Thank you for fostering an environment where every child can reach their full potential.