Daniel Wright Junior High School
Daniel Wright Awarded the National Blue Ribbon
Daniel Wright Junior High School was recognized today, September 16, with the highly prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Award by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Daniel Wright was among a select few schools nationally that were placed in the Exemplary High-Performing school category. Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Daniel Wright is among 297 schools nationwide to receive this distinguished honor based on the school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the perseverance of our entire learning community allowed our students to excel in Illinois and in the nation,” said Principal Michelle Blackley. “The Blue Ribbon award validates the work, the creativity, the flexibility and the commitment of the DW team to provide students with an unmatched educational experience during unprecedented times. We are proud to be a Blue Ribbon School and to be recognized as an ‘Exemplary High Performing School’ by the U.S. Department of Education,” Dr. Blackley said.
Daniel Wright won this award for academic excellence in 1987, 2010, and 2016. Half Day received the honor in 2001, 2010, and 2016. Laura B. Sprague School was recognized in 1986 and 1996.
“District 103 schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon honorees for over 35 years. Daniel Wright’s latest award illustrates the commitment our staff, students, and families make to a community of excellence and learning. I am very proud of our staff and students who are high achievers and caring citizens of our interconnected world,” said Superintendent, Dr. Scott Warren.
Daniel Wright will begin planning a school wide recognition ceremony now that the announcement has been made. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program and the U. S. Department of Education has invited the schools to an award ceremony in early November in Washington, D.C.
“I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Cardona. “As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, since its inception in 1983, has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement.
National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.
Daniel Wright Information
Principals
- Principal Michelle Blackley, Ed.D.
- Assistant Principal Nina Nusbaum, Ed.D.
- Assistant Principal Melody Littlefair