Elmwood Park’s John Mills Elementary School received distinguished honors from the state, being recognized as a 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon School. This accolade was bestowed on only 24 schools across Illinois on October 20. It is considered one of the state’s most prestigious educational awards, given to schools demonstrating exceptional academic achievement.
The recognition came due to John Mills Elementary’s successful efforts in narrowing achievement gaps among diverse student groups. Leah Gauthier, superintendent of Schools for District 401, expressed pride in the award, attributing the success to years of dedication by the staff, students, and community support, including trust from the board and local residents. Gauthier, who has led as superintendent for a decade, emphasized that the school’s goal was to exceed state performance averages, something achieved after years of determination.
“It definitely doesn’t happen overnight,” Gauthier remarked.
Two years ago, the school surpassed the state average in English, and it has recently excelled in mathematics as well. The designation is not solely for high performance; the blue ribbon highlights John Mills Elementary’s achievements in bridging academic gaps among various student groups. The official designation is an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School.
An assembly, held on October 20, featured Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401 leaders gathering for a photo as state officials, including Governor J.B. Pritzker, presented John Mills Elementary with its Blue Ribbon School recognition.
Gauthier commended the School Board for supporting her pursuits to close achievement gaps, recalling her emphasis on the need for more resources and support, stating,
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint by any means.”
The board responded, providing essential funding and support to achieve these goals. While Gauthier and school leaders advocated for investment, she attributed their success to the dedication of the teachers and the cohesive teamwork at the school. She noted that during challenging times, the small district rallied together in a supportive environment.
“When things get tough, we are a small district,” she noted. “When somebody needs something, we are there for one another. We truly strive to have all hands on deck and support everyone.”
School principal Frank Kuzniewski echoed similar sentiments in a press statement, highlighting the collaboration and care that goes into addressing the question,
“What do our students need next?”
Jesse Wright, a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press, covered the event.