Each River Forest School District 90 school earned an Exemplary rating from the Illinois State Board of Education in its annual 2025-26 Illinois Report Card released Friday morning.
It’s the fifth year in a row Willard Elementary School has received Exemplary status. The Exemplary designation for Roosevelt Middle School follows a Commendable rating last year and Exemplary in 2024.
Roosevelt Middle School listed as Commendable a year ago, but that was under the Illinois Report Card’s prior format. The new format puts in place Profiles of Performance, consisting of three parts: Core academic indicators, which recognizes school strengths on student outcomes like proficiency, growth and graduation rate; elevating indicators, such as consistent attendance and English Learner progress; and student group performance, which looks at the performance of specific student groups where additional support may be needed.
District-wide, English language arts proficiency stood at 90.6%, with math proficiency checking in at 83.6%. Over 94% of eighth graders passed Algebra I.
The district had an enrollment of 1,292 students in 2025-26, with 70.8% white and 8.3% Hispanic. Chronic absenteeism was 10.4%, up from 8% last year.
Friday’s announcement follows on the heels of other notable accolades for District 90. On Oct. 20, Lincoln was named a Governor’s Blue Ribbon School by the Illinois State Board of Education for its outstanding academic performance, one of only 16 public schools across the state to receive the honor.
“We see this recognition as a celebration for all of our students, teachers, staff, administration, board, and our families,” said new superintendent Janice Pavelonis.
Added board of education president Katie Avalos: “The board is thrilled by the district-wide Exemplary designations. This honor reflects the hard work of our students, the passion of our staff and the support of our families.”