The annual school report cards issued by the state of Illinois are chock full of data points. And from that come the headline assessments dividing the state’s schools into five categories. This year, 10% of Illinois’ schools are deemed “exemplary.” The next two-thirds were swept into the “commendable” category. And the trailing quarter of all schools are marked for some level of targeted, comprehensive, or intensive support.
Locally, schools in River Forest earned exemplary status. The District 97 Oak Park elementary schools and Oak Park and River Forest High School (District 200) were deemed commendable.
We point to the complex demography of D97 and D200 schools, to the ambitious efforts those districts have come to embrace in staring down the systemic inequities in these schools and our wider society. And we offer congratulations on the commendable status they have earned.