By the Numbers

By the Numbers highlights the data behind the success of Consolidated High School District 230.

Introduction

At the start of this school year, we refined our Strategic Framework and updated the corresponding Data Dashboard—a collection of 15 key indicators that reflect what we value most as a district. Five priority areas for improvement will continue to be a focus this year. Here’s a quick look at our first semester progress and what’s ahead.

Freshmen on Track

At the end of last school year, 96% of freshmen were on track to graduate on time — a 3% increase from the previous year! This is one of the strongest predictors of future success. This year, we’ll expand credit recovery options to help even more students stay on track.

Academic Growth

76% of the Class of 2028 earned a GPA of 2.8 or higher. While slightly below our goal, we made strides in teacher training and student support. This semester, work has concentrated on strengthening professional learning, refining instruction, and building a curriculum review cycle aligned with our instructional framework and the Professional Learning Community process.

Student Discipline

Last year's results showed that discipline data remained steady, with a slight increase in attendance-related issues, such as tardies and truancies. This year, student discipline goals have been refined: 

• 85% of students will have 3 or fewer attendance referrals
• 95% of students will have 2 or fewer misconduct referrals
• 99% of students will have no safety referrals

With three distinct categories - each with its own interventions and goals - we are better equipped to monitor school climate and target interventions across buildings.

Teacher Retention

Retention remains strong—just shy of 95%. We’re continuing to invest in our “Grow Your Own” and student-teacher programs while improving workplace systems and expanding opportunities for staff, families, and community engagement.

Attendance

At the beginning of this school year, we updated the Attendance Policy, limiting the number of absences and requiring documentation to curb unnecessary absences. As a result, comparing period absences from the start of last school year through mid-December to the same date range this school year, there’s been a 10% improvement in period absences.

To better inform students and parents, we are continuing our communication campaign, Attendance Matters, which includes individualized quarterly attendance progress reports that categorize students’ attendance rates as exceptional, on track, at risk, or chronically absent.

In addition, we are conducting a root cause analysis of chronic absenteeism and designing processes and interventions with students, specifically at the building level.

Illinois School Report Card: A Snapshot of Our Schools

Each year, the Illinois School Report Card provides a comprehensive snapshot of a school’s performance, highlighting strengths and identifying areas for growth. 

All three of our high schools remain in the Commended range. The top rating—Exemplary—is reserved for the top 10% of schools in Illinois and is based on a complex ranking of data. This year, the threshold for Exemplary was 93.02. Our schools’ scores were as follows:

Sandburg: 92.66

Andrew: 92.64

Stagg: 89.27

While Stagg falls in the top 20%, Andrew and Sandburg are just shy of reaching Exemplary status.

Andrew and Sandburg closed the gap by 50–67% compared to last year, meaning our schools are catching up to the state’s highest performers.

The best news of all is that every school improved! Year-over- year gains ranged from 2–4 points:

Sandburg: 90.57 → +2.09 points

Andrew: 90.34 → +2.30 points

Stagg: 85.12 → +4.15 points

Our biggest opportunities for growth are Chronic Absenteeism and English Learner (EL) Proficiency. Chronic Absenteeism is a key target in our District Framework, while EL Proficiency is being addressed through our targeted EL program review to support student success on ACCESS assessments.

20th Anniversary

The District 230 Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary of helping enrich educational opportunities. Through teacher grants and community partnerships, the Foundation has funded hundreds of projects that bring learning to life for students.

230 School Board Recognition

The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education was recognized for its exceptional governance practices by the Illinois Association of School Boards. District 230 was one of just 42 Illinois school districts to earn the School Board Governance Recognition for its effective governance and commitment to obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively govern the District.

Academics

National Merit Semifinalists

4 Semifinalists represent less than 1% of US high school seniors. 

National Merit Commended Students

20 Commended Scholars are students who perform in the top 2-3% of all Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test test-takers on a nationally applied score.

Perfect ACT

Four District 230 seniors achieved what less than one-quarter of one percent of test-takers nationwide accomplish each year—a perfect 36 on the ACT. The average ACT composite score in Illinois in 2024 was 24.5. Earning a perfect composite score places these students among the top-performing high school seniors in the country.

College Board Recognition

A total of 382 District 230 students were honored through the College Board’s National Recognition Program for their academic achievement, dedication, and hard work. The program celebrates high-performing students nationwide, helping them stand out on college and scholarship applications.

3 Best High Schools 

All three District 230 high schools were named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools in America list. The methodology includes six factors based on a school’s performance on state assessments and how well it prepares students for college, along with graduation rate, college readiness, and underserved student performance.

22nd Balanced Budget

The 2025-26 budget reflects an increase in revenue of approximately 4.8%, driven primarily by increased State funding, and partially offset by modest declines in Federal Aid and Interest income. Expenses are expected to grow by 3.8%, reflecting higher costs in salaries and benefits, supplies, and other objects. This year’s budget is balanced, with operating fund revenues projected to exceed expenditures by approximately $540,000. 

All State Musicians

A total of 20 chorus, orchestra, and band students were selected by the Illinois Music Educators Association as All-State musicians, representing the most outstanding student performers.

Communication

Nearly half of all District 230 parents have downloaded the ParentSquare app, allowing for quick, efficient notification. With options to select a preferred language, information can be shared seamlessly.

Safety First

More than 90 safety-minded first responders and school leaders participated in D230's School Safety Conference, focusing on partnerships, alert systems, and mental health.

All-Conference

Districtwide, a total of 72 athletes were named All-Conference this fall.

All-State Qualifiers

Districtwide, 18 athletes were named All-State Qualifiers.

College Commitments

This fall, 17 student-athletes signed and committed to play their respective sport in college. 

Athletic Accolades

District 230 students showcased their athleticism in a variety of ways this fall, with SWSC Athlete of the Year recognitions, sportsmanship awards, and new school records.

Professional Learning Experience Series

80 staff members became the first to complete all five Professional Learning Experiences (PLEs), a series of hands-on trainings built around the district’s essential components of instruction.

Financial Aid Excellence

All three high schools earned a Silver Banner from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission as part of the 2025 Recognition of Excellence: Financial Aid Application Completion program. This honor recognizes schools for their outstanding efforts in helping students and families complete financial aid applications, an essential step toward accessing postsecondary education opportunities.

In Closing…

By the Numbers showcases where we want to be, where we are now, and why each measure matters for our students, staff, and community.

Follow our progress and explore the full Data Dashboard.