2008 Academic Excellence Awards
Academic Excellence Awards recognize 388 schools that have sustained very high academic performance over at least three years. Some of these schools often receive national recognitions placing them among the nation's most outstanding. The number of Academic Excellence awards more than doubled in 2008, rising from 166 to 388. Research is not yet available to explain this dramatic increase, especially in middle schools.
In these elementary schools, at least 90% of students met or exceeded state standards both in reading and in mathematics for at least 3 consecutive years. All Academic Excellence schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress for the past two years.
Achieving and maintaining excellence is not easy in any school The critical strategies for success cited in Billman, Mission Possible also operate in the schools winning the Excellence Award.
FACTS ABOUT 2008 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS SCHOOLS
Total Number by Year
School Types
Academic Excellence High Schools
(Number indicates consecutive awards.)
| Adlai E Stevenson, Lincolnshire (5) | New Trier Township, Winnetka (4) |
| Deerfield High School, Deerfield (5) | Northside College Prep, Chicago (5) |
| Glenbrook North, Northbrook (5) | Payton College Prep, Chicago (4) |
| Jones College Prep, Chicago (4) | Prospect, Mt. Prospect (2) |
| Lane Technical High School, Chicago (1) | Young Magnet, Chicago (3) |
Test Scores - Moving More Students into the Exceeds Range
- 174 elementary schools showed increases in scores over last year even though they started at a baseline above 90% of students meeting or exceeding standards.
- 114 elementary schools showed decreases in test scores, but stayed above the 90% mark.
Low-Income Enrollment ("Low-income" is designated by eligibility for free and reduced lunch.)
- 21 Academic Excellence schools in Chicago enroll 4.7 to 60.1% low-income students.
- 309 of the 388 Academic Excellence schools (80%) enroll fewer than 15% low-income students.
Geographic Distribution of 388 Academic Excellence Awards
School Size
- Adlai Stevenson High School in Lake County is the largest Academic Excellence school with 4483 students. The ten high schools enroll from 707 to 4483 students.
- Elementary enrollments range from 73 in Nettle Creek, Morris, to 1094 students at Milburn Central, Old Mill Creek.
- 67.5% of the elementary schools enroll 400 or more students.
Repeat Winners
41 Schools |
Fifth time (2003–2008) |
10.6% |
43 Schools |
Fourth time (2004–2008) |
11.1% |
27 Schools |
Third time (2005–2008) |
7.0% |
44 Schools |
Second time (2006–2008) |
11.3% |
233 Schools |
First time (2007–2008) |
60% |
Double Winners
- 7 Schools earned both Spotlight Schools and Academic Excellence Awards.
Districts with 4 or More Excellence Awards
