D204 schools moving up in rankings

Like those in neighboring District 203, schools in Indian Prairie School District 204 once again rank among the best in the state.

According to calculations by the Sun-Times ranking the top 100 Illinois schools, Neuqua Valley High School ranks No. 19 among Illinois high schools, having moved up from last year's No. 24 ranking. Waubonsie Valley High School jumped ahead 20 places on the list, up to No. 68 from No. 88 in 2008.

"We're very pleased with the growth from last year to this year," said Patrick Nolten, District 204 director of assessment, research and evaluation.

Nolten attributes the growth in school achievement to several factors. The district looks at the curriculum, particularly core curriculum, to make sure it is aligned with the measures of the ACT test.

"We're really ensuring the kids come into 11th grade and stand the best chance possible," Nolten said.

In addition, students take the Explorer exam in eighth grade and Plan exam sophomore year in order to gauge where they are in terms of preparedness for the ACT, Nolten said.

District 204 middle schools that ranked in the Top 100 of their category include Gregory at No. 42, Scullen at No. 63, Crone at No. 69 and Hill at No. 87.

Fry Elementary jumped six spots to No. 49 from No. 55 last year. White Eagle Elementary experienced the biggest jump, moving to the No. 59 spot from last year's No. 81. Owen rose to No. 74 from No. 78. Patterson jumped 10 spots from last year's ranking of No. 103 to No. 93.

A couple of schools saw their rankings slip a bit. This year Clow Elementary ranked No. 45, down four from last year. And Spring Brook dropped from No. 57 to No. 60.

Nolten said at the elementary level there is a heavy emphasis on doing early universal screening to "get a clear sense as early as possible of who's at where they should be."

Students are assessed three times a year in areas including literacy and numeracy to determine who is developing appropriately and who is not.

Despite high rankings, overall District 204 did not make adequate yearly progress guidelines set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, state report cards show. That can be attributed to not reaching adequate yearly progress in reading and math for students with disabilities and in the area of reading for economically disadvantaged students.

The majority of district schools are meeting academic performance standards, Nolten said.