Dozens of Northwest Indiana elementary schools were part of the hundreds of schools from across the state that were recognized last week for meeting the state's literacy goal.
Educators from over 240 schools were invited to a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse last Thursday where state leaders commended their schools for scoring at least a 95% passing rate on last year's IREAD-3 exam.
Around 30 local public and private elementary schools were recognized, including five Valparaiso Community Schools: Northview, Parkview, Thomas Jefferson, Heavilin and Central Elementary.
VCS Superintendent Jim McCall noted the recognition of the schools was a testament to the dedication of their teachers, the support of families and the remarkable hard work of their students.
"We know that reading proficiency is a fundamental skill that unlocks pathways to learning and personal growth, as such, these accolades highlight our shared commitment to literacy throughout our district," McCall said.
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Indiana has a goal of having 95% of students pass the IREAD assessment — administered to second and third grade students — by 2027.
Schools from over 10 local districts, including Crown Point, Lake Central, Duneland, Munster as well as the Diocese of Gary were recognized.
A full list of schools commemorated can seen on the state's Department of Education website.
PHOTOS: Girls 4A Northern Semistate at LaPorte
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Rebecca Gerdt looks to pass at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Guarded by Noblesville's Reagan Wilson, Lillian Barnes attempts a shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Noblesville's Reagan Wilson guards Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes takes a shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Katherine Weber takes a free throw shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Guarded by Noblesville's Meredith Tippner, Lillian Barnes attempts a shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Brianna Fincannon guards Noblesville's Reagan Wilson at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Katherine Weber takes a free throw shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes passes on the run at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Rebecca Gerdt and Noblesville's C.C. Quigley battle for position for an inbounds pass at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes and Margaret Kuka embrace following their loss to Noblesville at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso coach Candy Wilson talks to her team late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Rebecca Gerdt drives in for a layup attempt at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso coach Candy Wilson talks to her team late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly rolls past Homestead's Myah Epps for a layup attempt at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Riley Milausnic takes a shot over Homestead's Carley Moellering at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop is guarded closely by Homestead's Carley Moellering at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Kennedie Burkes brings the ball into play at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Ayla Krygier and Vanessa Wimberly say a prayer before the start of Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Ayla Krygier takes a free throw shot late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop is fouled by Homestead's Gabriella Helsom at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Nadia Clayton shoots a free throw at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Ayla Krygier goes up for a shot at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly is fouled by Homestead's Emma Reust at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central coach Joe Huppenthal gives his team some final instructions late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly sets up a play at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
With the semistate trophy in hand, an emotional Ayla Krygier is greeted by her parents Kalahni and Ed Krygier following Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Nadia Clayton guards Noblesville's Meredith Tippner at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central fans celebrate a basket at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Riley Milausnic sets up a play at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central coach Joe Huppenthal talks to his team in the final minutes of Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Moriah Crawford congratulates Nadia Clayton on Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Kennedie Burks comes to the basket at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop has her shot rejected at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central coach Joe Huppenthal talks to his team in the final minutes of Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly takes a shot over Noblesville's Kate Rollins at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
The Lake Central girls basketball team pose for pictures following their championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Under pressure by Noblesville's Meredith Tippner, Lake Central's Nadia Clayton looks to pass at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop hits two over Noblesville's Kate Rollins at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
With the semistate trophy in hand, an emotional Ayla Krygier is greeted by her parents Kalahni and Ed Krygier following Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
With the semistate trophy in hand, an emotional Ayla Krygier is greeted by her parents Kalahni and Ed Krygier following Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central fans celebrate a basket at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop rolls in for a layup at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
