SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner congratulated the educators, students and parents at 24 Illinois learning centers recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018 – one of which is in our listening area.

Aviston Elementary School is one of the 24 schools recognized as exemplary.

The national recognition is granted based on an individual school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. Nominations are invited from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education.

The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools.

Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,800 schools.

The Secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with all honorees at an awards ceremony Nov. 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C.

All schools are honored in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates: