Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 continued its run of strong showings on the Illinois School Report Card for 2023-24.
Of the district’s nine schools, six — Elm, Madison, Monroe, Oak, Prospect and Walker, all elementary schools — were designated as Exemplary and three — The Lane, an elementary school, and both Hinsdale Middle School and Clarendon Hills Middle School — were designated as Commendable.
The state uses the Exemplary designation for schools performing in the top 10% of schools statewide, with no underperforming student groups. The Commendable designation is for schools that have no underperforming student groups, a graduation rate greater than 67%, and performance not in the top 10% of schools statewide.
“District 181 students continue to excel, as demonstrated by the latest Illinois School Report Card,” said Jeffrey Alstadt, the district’s director of communication. “The report highlights our schools’ strong performance across multiple indicators. These designations confirm D181 schools’ status as among the state’s top elementary and middle schools.”
While The Lane was the only District 181 elementary school that didn’t receive the Exemplary designation on the latest Report Card, it doesn’t mean it’s not on par in quality with the other six schools, Alstadt said.
“The distinction between Commendable and Exemplary designations can often be quite subtle, and all of our schools uphold rigorous academic standards,” he said.
Alstadt said to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the district schools’ performance, factors such as student achievement and growth levels should be considered. “While some schools may have experienced a slight decrease in their overall rating, it’s essential to note that various factors, including changes in student demographics and external circumstances, can influence this,” he said.
Alstadt said District 181 remains committed to adapting to the evolving definition of Exemplary set by the Illinois State Board of Education and continues to highlight the outstanding achievements of its students and staff.
“By focusing on student achievement and growth levels, innovation, and a supportive learning environment, we are confident in our ability to maintain and enhance the quality of education in our district,” he said.
As for six of the district’s seven elementary schools being designated as Exemplary, but neither of the two middle schools reaching that mark, Alstadt said it’s important to note that District 181 students consistently excel, with a high percentage gaining acceptance into prestigious programs, like Hinsdale Central’s Honors,” he said. “This success is a testament to our district’s strong curriculum, dedicated teachers, and supportive learning environments.”
In addition, Hinsdale Middle School and Clarendon Hills Middle School both significantly improved from the previous year, Alstadt said.
“We’re closing in on the benchmark of having our middle schools rank in the top 10% of all K-8 schools in the state, according to Illinois State Board of Education Report Cards,” he said. “Their academic performance continues to highlight our schools’ effectiveness, as evidenced by the 100% achievement rate, outstanding growth rate, and our students’ history of excelling at all academic levels at Central.
“Our middle schools remain committed to providing high-quality education and fostering student growth. We’re excited about the continued progress and look forward to more outstanding achievements.”
Overall in District 181 for the 2023-24 school year, the Illinois School Report Card indicated that 83.1% of District 181 students were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 41.2%. In math, 77.1% of the district’s students were proficient, compared to the state average of 28.4%, and in science, the 85.6% proficiency in the district was considerably higher than the state average of 53.1%.
“Our district’s dedication to continuous improvement is evident in these positive results,” Alstadt said. “We will build on this momentum by strengthening team collaboration, focusing on our learning standards, and providing targeted support to struggling students.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
