Ila Elem. up for national honor

The school is one of just eight schools in Georgia and one of four elementary schools statewide to be nominated for National Blue Ribbon School status.

Madison County Schools Superintendent Mitch McGhee made the announcement at the Jan. 12 board of education (BOE) meeting.

The state nominates each school.

“So Ila Elementary is in very elite company — and that’s just to get nominated,” McGhee said.

Ila Elementary will find out in September if it earned National Blue Ribbon status.

If so, the principal and one teacher receive a free trip to Washington, D.C. The trip includes meeting the national secretary of education and perhaps the president of the United States.

“We’re very excited about that possibility, but regardless if we actually win the blue ribbon school or not, it’s a great honor just to be nominated,” McGhee said.

Ila Elementary School will host a reception Jan. 20 at 3:30 p.m. to celebrate its nomination.

“It’s Ila Elementary School, but it is a great reflection of the county as a whole,” McGhee said.

Elsewhere, Madison County Middle School has earned the “bronze award” for academic improvement. Only five middle schools in the state earned this accolade.

The school received a banner to display on campus.

“We really feel that we’re on the right track (at MCMS), and we believe that this award is another indication of that,” McGhee said.

McGhee also noted that each elementary school has been recognized as Title I distinguished schools