The Indiana Department of Education announced today the 2018 Gold Star Schools. The Gold Star designation signifies the school counselor-led steering team has met specific criteria identified for the development of a comprehensive school counseling model. Created in 2004, the Gold Star designation has been awarded to over 300 Indiana elementary, middle, and high schools. To receive the award, schools undergo a rigorous process to raise student achievement and improve overall student success. This is accomplished by creating local school-community advisory groups tasked with reviewing student data, setting specific student goals, and committing to maximizing the time and skills of the school counselor. A total of 34 schools received the designation in 2018, of which nine renewed their Gold Star status. Locally, Riley Elementary School in LaPorte received a gold star for the first time and LaPorte High School received a renewal of a Gold Star. The official award presentation will take place in November at the Indiana School Counselor Association fall conference.