2004 Academic Excellence Award

Many of this nation's most-honored schools are in Illinois. Awards and lists of outstanding schools generated by national magazines, government agencies, realtors, and research studies always include first-rate institutions in our state. New in 2004-5, the Academic Excellence Awards recognize 63 schools that have sustained very high performance levels.

In these elementary schools, at least 90% of students met or exceeded state standards 2002-2004. At the high school level, 80% of students passed the Prairie State Achievement Exam 2002-2004. All Academic Excellence schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress for the last three years.

Achieving and maintaining excellence is not easy in any school. The critical strategies for success cited by the 2003-4 award-winning Illinois principals in NIU's Mission Possible also operate in the schools winning the Excellence Award. Students, teachers, school leaders, parents, and community members all contribute to sustaining high-level academic performance.

Total Number in 2004 = 63

School Types

Test Scores - Moving More Students into the Exceeds Range

• 11 elementary schools showed significant increases in scores over 2002-2004, although they started at a baseline above 90% of students meeting or exceeding standards.
• 14 elementary schools showed significant decreases in test scores, but stayed above the 90% mark.
• 2 high schools, Northside College Prep in Chicago and Deerfield High School, increased PSAE scores by 2.5 to 3.2 points.

Low-income Enrollment

• 4 schools in Chicago and 2 schools downstate have low-income populations ranging from 15 to 30%.
• 57 schools enroll fewer than 15% low-income students.

Geographic Distribution of 63 Academic Excellence Awards

School Size

• Adlai Stevenson High Schools is the largest with 4319 students; all four suburban high schools are large.
• Elementary enrollments range from 122 in Riverside to 863 students in Indian Prairie.
• Half the elementary schools enroll more than 450 students.

Restricted Enrollment

13 schools restrict enrollment to gifted and talented students or those with high test scores.

Districts with 3 or More Academic Excellence Awards