21 Schools in Illinois Win National Blue Ribbon Schools Award

Twenty-one Illinois schools have made the U.S. Department of Education’s “National Blue Ribbon Schools” list for 2016.

More than 300 public and private PreK-12 schools from across the country were bestowed the prestigious award either for their academic excellence or making gains in closing the achievement gap between privileged and underprivileged students, said U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr.

Of the 21 schools recognized in Illinois, 16 are public and five are private.

Here are this year's Blue Ribbon Schools award winners.

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