ELDORADO, Ill. (WSIL) -- A Saline County school's hard work is paying off with a national award.
Eldorado Middle School received the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday. 325 schools across the country were recognized as 'Blue Ribbon Schools'.
The award recognizes the highest performing schools and schools that are best at closing the achievement gap. Principal Billy Tippett says this is a culmination of six years of hard work. Tippett says the award is extra special because of the school's high poverty rate.
"I hope that teaches our kids a life lesson that they can overcome some of the downfalls that they're going through on a daily basis and still be successful," Tippett said.
About 70% of students there are under free & reduced lunch rates, according to Tippett. He'll join administrators from hundreds of other schools in November to accept the award at the National Blue Ribbon Conference. But Tippett adds staff didn't do this for accolades but for academics.
"We've had teachers that hae gone to different buildings or gone to different places that are part of this as well," Tippett said. "This is a total team effort."
