MARYSVILLE, MI — Morton Elementary is one of just two schools in Michigan to earn a 2025 National ESEA Distinguished Schools designation.
The recognition was announced Feb. 11 on the Marysville Public Schools Facebook page.
The Marysville school was honored for exceptional student performance and academic growth, placing it among a select group of federally funded schools nationwide recognized for academic success.
Morton Elementary serves 317 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade.
“It’s truly an honor to work with such a dedicated group of educators,” Principal Kathleen Quain told the Times Herald. “This recognition reflects the incredible dedication of our students, staff, and families. The ESEA Distinguished School Award is truly a celebration of our entire school community.”
The recognition comes through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program, a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators.
Established in 1996, the program publicly recognizes federally funded Title I schools — schools that receive additional federal funding to support students from low-income families — identified by their state education agency for outstanding results.
Each year, no more than two schools per state are selected.
According to Superintendent Tracie Eschenburg, a team from the Michigan Department of Education reviews data from schools that receive federal funding.
The review includes attendance rates, academic achievement and student growth across demographic groups. Any Title I school can be nominated for consideration.
Since the program began nearly three decades ago, only 21 Michigan schools have earned the distinction.
The only other Michigan school recognized this year was Frontier International Academy – Elementary in Warren.
The only other schools in St. Clair and Sanilac counties to receive the honor were Meyer Elementary School in Lexington in 2013 and H.D. Crull Elementary School in Port Huron in 2016.
Eschenburg was serving as executive director of employee and student services at Port Huron Area Schools when Crull Elementary received the award.
“It’s just nice to be able to have that recognition because we have so many amazing teachers throughout the county with so many amazing teachers and administrators and school staff that work so hard for kids and oftentimes it goes unrecognized,” Eschenburg said to the Times Herald.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: National designation awarded to Morton Elementary
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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