Little Fort Elementary was recently honored with the Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Award for significant gains in several targeted areas as part of the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE) program.

The Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Award is the highest distinction given by BRSE, Inc., recognizing schools for their exemplary performance across nine key categories (listed below). The BRSE program supports all schools, with a special focus on those serving low socioeconomic, culturally diverse, and low-performing communities. It helps schools assess the quality of their academic and instructional programs and develop action plans to achieve measurable student success.

Little Fort, along with McCall and Greenwood Elementary Schools, is one of three District 60 schools that have utilized the BRSE school improvement framework in recent years. Participating schools undergo a comprehensive rubric-based assessment process, which includes individualized evaluations across multiple areas and tailored improvement plans to meet their specific needs. Recognition levels in the program include Points of Light, Beacon, and the highest designation, Lighthouse School.

"Earning the Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Award reflects the focused efforts of our students, staff, and families to make Little Fort a place where meaningful learning happens every day," said Little Fort Principal Ms. Amy Grossman. "This recognition highlights the progress we’ve made and motivates us to keep pushing forward to ensure all our students succeed."

McCall Elementary earned the Lighthouse School designation in 2023. Greenwood and Little Fort previously received Beacon recognition, showcasing their commitment to ongoing improvement.

Key performance categories evaluated by BRSE include:

- Student Focus and Support - School Organization and Culture - Challenging Standards and Curriculum - Active Teaching and Learning - Technology Integration - Professional Community - Leadership and Educational Vitality - School, Family, and Community Partnerships Indicators of Success

The BRSE program is not affiliated with the United States Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools Program.