December 18, 2025

Casten, Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Resolution Honoring Illinois’ Blue Ribbon Schools After Trump Administration Ends Program

Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2025) — After the Trump Administration ended the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced a resolution to recognize the 28 Illinois schools that were selected to receive the designation of Blue Ribbon Schools this year. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was a national recognition from the U.S. Department of Education given to public, charter, and private schools for their exemplary education and work to close the achievement gap.

“Illinois’ Blue Ribbon Schools represent the very best of our state’s education system,” said Rep. Casten. “Teachers, administrators, and students work tirelessly to earn this distinction, which recognizes a sustained commitment to academic excellence. Although the Trump Administration needlessly ended the program, Congress can and should continue to honor deserving institutions. I am proud to introduce this resolution with Senators Durbin and Duckworth to ensure their achievements receive the recognition they’ve earned.”

“Rather than continue our nation’s tradition of celebrating schools that have dedicated themselves to closing the achievement gap, the Trump Administration has focused its energy on closing the Department of Education at the detriment of our nation’s students and their education. While the Trump Administration will not recognize the hard work of educators, I am proud to celebrate the achievements of Illinois schools who earned the title of being a Blue Ribbon School,” said Sen. Durbin. “My resolution with Senator Duckworth and Congressman Casten gives these schools – and the educators, faculty, and staff that run them – the recognition they deserve.”

“Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our schools and support our teachers,” Sen. Duckworth said. “I’m proud to recognize this year’s National Blue Ribbon Schools across Illinois and their efforts to help students thrive inside and outside the classroom. I will continue to work alongside Senator Durbin to ensure that all students—no matter their zip code—have the opportunity to grow and thrive.”

Created in 1982 by the Reagan Administration, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program was the highest federal recognition a school could receive. The program showcased the best teaching practices of educators and encouraged other schools to model them. Since its inception, the program has honored more than 9,000 public, private, charter, and parochial schools nationwide.

Joining Casten, Durbin, and Duckworth in introducing the resolution are U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Johnathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

Illinois schools that were selected for the 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools designation prior to the discontinuation of the program are:

  1. Ascension Catholic School – Oak Park, Illinois

  2. Clarendon Hills Middle School – Clarendon Hills, Illinois

  3. Glen Oaks Elementary School – Hickory Hills, Illinois

  4. Highlands Elementary School – La Grange, Illinois

  5. Kennedy Junior High School – Lisle, Illinois

  6. Liberty Intermediate School – Bourbonnais, Illinois

  7. Lincoln-Way East High School – Frankfort, Illinois

  8. Lyons Township High School – La Grange, Illinois

  9. Mascoutah Middle School – Mascoutah, Illinois

  10. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy – Chicago, Illinois

  11. Pleasantdale Middle School – Burr Ridge, Illinois

  12. Prescott Elementary School – Chicago, Illinois

  13. Regina Dominican High School – Wilmette, Illinois

  14. Sarah Adams Elementary School – Lake Zurich, Illinois

  15. St. Anne Catholic School – Barrington, Illinois

  16. St. Giles School – Oak Park, Illinois

  17. St. John of the Cross Parish School – Western Springs, Illinois

  18. St. Matthias School – Chicago, Illinois

  19. St. Norbert School – Northbrook, Illinois

  20. St. Therese Chinese Catholic School – Chicago, Illinois

  21. Sunset Ridge Elementary School – Northfield, Illinois

  22. The Academy at St. Joan of Arc – Evanston, Illinois

  23. Timothy Christian P–8 – Elmhurst, Illinois

  24. Walker Elementary School – Clarendon Hills, Illinois

  25. Warren Elementary School – Warren, Illinois

  26. Wheaton Academy – West Chicago, Illinois

  27. William Fremd High School – Palatine, Illinois

  28. Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart – Lake Forest, Illinois

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