New designations from the Illinois State Board of Education mark a historic first for Waukegan Community Unit School District # 60, as one of its schools has earned the highest distinction possible on this year’s State Report Card, while the majority of District 60 schools continue to be rated in one of the two highest tiers. 

According to the newest Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) data released statewide this week, 13 of 21 Waukegan schools attained at least “Commendable” designation per ISBE benchmark metrics, including the District’s first-ever “Exemplary” designation by Clark Elementary School.  

The “Exemplary” designation, earned by Clark Elementary, is the highest of four designations an Illinois school can earn. Just 10 percent of all schools in Illinois earn this designation, which recognizes: “a school that has no underperforming subgroups, a graduation rate of greater than 67 percent, and whose performance is in the top 10 percent of schools statewide.” 

Clark’s designation marks the first time a Waukegan school was rated in the top tier since 2002, when No Child Left Behind/ Adequate Yearly Progress began measuring schools.

“We’re extremely proud of Clark School for this historic achievement. The students, staff and teachers deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication toward earning this milestone for our district,” said Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Theresa Plascencia. “As a District we are continuing to see a substantial percentage of our schools reach the two highest tier designations, and this is a testament to the strategic work taking place throughout the district. We hope to see additional improvement in the future, as we continue our work to create a better Waukegan Public Schools.”

This year, 12 schools earned the “Commendable” designation, which is the second highest designation a school in Illinois can earn, and recognizes: “a school that has no underperforming student sub-groups at or below the ‘all students’ group of the lowest 5 percent of all Title 1 schools, a graduation rate greater than 67 percent, and whose performance is not in the top 10 percent of schools statewide.”

Per ESSA’s designation criteria schools are ranked on a number of indicators. Elementary and middle school designations are based on students’ Math, English Language Arts, Science and English Learners proficiency as well as Math and English Language Arts growth. Indicators also include data related to the annual 5Essentials climate survey, and chronic absenteeism rates.