EDUCATION
Academic Excellence Butler District 53 continues to shine BY CHUCK FIELDMAN | PHOTOS COURTESY OF BUTLER DISTRICT 53
M
ost schools in the country likely never will be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a National Blue Ribbon Award for overall academic excellence. But when Brook Forest School in Oak Brook was selected in the fall for the second time, it joined Butler Elementary School District 53’s Butler Junior High as a two-time winner. Brook Forest previously received the
Brook Forest School
award in 2014, and Butler Junior High was recognized in 2015 and 2021. The National Blue Ribbon School accolades make for an impressive note on District 53’s resume, but the two-school Oak Brook elementary district has been known as one of the state’s top performing for a long time. “District 53 has been able to maintain its position as one of the state’s highest performing elementary dis-
tricts because of our talented and dedicated faculty and staff who personalize learning for our students,” District 53 Superintendent Paul O’Malley said. “Coupled with our committed teachers, our students strive to achieve their highest potential each and every day within our buildings, always giving the extra mile for themselves and their peers.” O’Malley said that through smaller class sizes, the district’s teachers and students collaborate on individual learning opportunities, growth goals,
