Elmhurst, IL – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released the latest State Report Cards, showcasing notable increases in proficiency for District 205 students. Students in grades 3-8 have again achieved the highest proficiency levels in Math and English Language Arts (ELA) since the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) was introduced in 2018.
This year was the first year that Juniors took the ACT instead of the SAT. The state report card reports the junior class’s ACT scores, which showed that York High School juniors have demonstrated a 12% increase in English Language Arts proficiency based on the new Illinois State Benchmark and a 10% increase in the College & Career Readiness Proficiency Benchmark. York High School juniors saw a 7% increase in Math Illinois State Benchmark and a 6% increase in Math proficiency as measured by the College & Career Readiness Benchmarks. In addition, York Community High School has reported a substantial 18.5% drop in chronic absenteeism when compared to the 2023 school year.
Also highlighted in the report is the increased progress in language proficiency for English Learners (ELs) across all grade levels. This progress, measured through the ACCESS assessment, underscores the district’s commitment to meeting the needs of EL students and fostering language growth throughout their academic journey. This year, there were more students who scored at the proficient level than in any previous year. Notably, York High School experienced an 8% increase year over year in proficiency levels.
“This year’s data tells a powerful story of growth, purpose, and partnership,” said Dr. Keisha Campbell, Superintendent. “Our students are achieving at higher levels than ever before, our schools are being recognized statewide for excellence, and our community’s investment in education continues to show remarkable results. These improvements demonstrate that when we come together around shared community values, attract and retain purpose-driven educators, and pair quality teaching and learning with high expectations, success follows.”
The progress shared in this year’s Illinois State Report Card reflects measurable success in alignment with the D205 Student Journey of Excellence. It also highlights areas of continued opportunity, including math proficiency in grades 6-12 as well as accelerating math growth for multilingual learners, students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and those from economically diverse backgrounds in D205.
“We are a district that remains on an upward trajectory,” shared Dr. Campbell. “We will continue to refine our systems and elevate the student experience. Our story is one of progress and purpose and it’s written by every student who walks through our doors each day. As we look ahead, we remain grounded in our Mission and Vision to educate, engage, and empower all students to be college, career, and life ready.”
The State Report Card offers a detailed view of school performance across several areas, including student success, academics, school climate, and financial investment. In addition to improved IAR results and EL Progress, the district’s composite graduation rate rose to 94.6%, a metric that impacts 50% of high school summative designations. The District’s Freshmen-On-Track rate, weighted at 8.33% of high school designations, increased to 98% - the highest received by District 205 since recording began in 2017-2018.
Elmhurst District 205 is proud to announce that all District 205 schools once again earned the State’s top two designations of Exemplary or Commendable. This year marks the highest number of D205 schools ever to receive the Exemplary designation, a testament to the District’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement.
Dr. Campbell and the Board of Education will present a comprehensive review of these achievements and the 2024-2025 school year tonight at 7:00 PM during the State of the District Address at Lincoln Elementary School.
For a complete view of District 205’s Illinois Report Card data, visit www.illinoisreportcard.com.