U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Tuesday recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021, including 18 schools in Illinois. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Secretary Cardona made the announcement during his Return to School Road Trip, while visiting an awardee school, Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School, in Palatine, Illinois. A few of the Illinois schools named as National Blue Ribbon Scholars were:

• Chicago – Disney II Magnet High School, City of Chicago School District 299.

• Chicago – Prosser Career Academy High School, City of Chicago School District 299.

• Chicago – Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, City of Chicago School District 299.

• Park Ridge – Lincoln Middle School, Park Ridge-Niles School District #64.