Stickney Elementary School has been named a Distinguished Title I School by the National Association of State Title I Directors. The announcement came during the organization’s annual conference Jan. 31-Feb. 3 in Nashville, Tenn.

Pictured from left to right: Janis Miller, Kate Clites, Ferra Kemp, Joy Rabenberg

Stickney was one of 71 schools representing 36 states and the District of Columbia that received the recognition. These highlighted schools, which have a 35 percent or higher poverty rate, have demonstrated significant sustained academic improvement. The schools are selected in one of two categories: 1) Exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years, or 2) Closing the achievement gap between student groups.

Title I is the largest federal aid program in K-12 education. The Title I program has served more than 150 million children in need of extra academic support in reading, writing and math since 1965.

According to the NASTID, the Distinguished Schools demonstrate strengths in the following areas: opportunity to meet proficient/advanced levels of performance; strong professional development; coordination with other programs; curriculum and instruction to support achievement of high standards; and partnerships among schools, parents and communities.