CHICAGO — State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is congratulating John Hancock College Preparatory High School for being awarded a National Blue Ribbon by the U.S. Dept. of Education.

“I know how hard John Hancock teachers and students work,” Villanueva said. “This is a well-earned award, and I’m proud to represent this school and so many others in our community.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a U.S. Department of Education Award Program designed in 1982 to recognize high achieving schools on a yearly basis in two categories — Exemplary High Performing Schools and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools. Throughout the state, 21 schools have received recognition this year.

John Hancock was awarded in the Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools category for its efforts to close the achievement gaps between all students over the past five years.

The U.S. Secretary of Education will honor the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools in a virtual ceremony Nov. 12 and 13.

“John Hancock has done a great job at ensuring all of their students do well, regardless of race, language, and all of the other categories that sometimes drive us apart,” Villanueva said. “I hope to see a day where we no longer even need this award, because all children have the support to be successful. Until that day, I commend schools like John Hancock that do everything they can to make that future a reality.”