Crete Intermediate named School of Distinction

Crete Intermediate School is one of only 100 schools in the nation to be honored this year as a National ESEA Distinguished School.

The award, presented by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, recognizes Crete Intermediate for exceptional student achievement in 2022.

Crete Intermediate was honored in Category 3, excellence in serving special populations of students.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a Distinguished School serving special populations,” Principal Lisa Fye said. “Our staff works relentlessly to carry out our school’s vision: Where students want to be, staff choose to work and families want to connect.”

Dr. Josh McDowell, Crete Public Schools superintendent, said this honor is a recognition of the work put in by everyone at the school.

“The entire Crete Intermediate School staff has bought into the process and has been dedicated to each student,” McDowell said. “We are so proud of this staff for their hard work on behalf of students and their families.”

Crete Intermediate serves 414 students in third through fifth grades. 

Fye said the school ensures that students feel safe and ready to learn. The school uses a system that allows students to communicate what they need to be successful throughout the day.

Students who receive English language and special education services are supported through Tier 1 instruction, she said.

“Anyone walking through our halls can see, hear and feel the collaboration of our staff as they embrace challenges with positivity and determination,” Fye said. “The community recognizes the supportive environment we’ve worked so hard to establish. It’s what makes our school special.”

Established in 1996, the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program recognizes qualifying federally funded schools for the outstanding academic achievements of their students.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides additional resources for vulnerable students and federal grants to state educational agencies to improve the quality of public elementary and secondary schools.