Illinois School Report Card Highlights: Intermediate Schools

November 20, 2025 

Dear District #7 Families,  

As part of our ongoing series highlighting the results of the 2025 Illinois Report Card by school level, this week we are proud to recognize our Intermediate Schools (3rd–5th grade): Cassens, Columbus, Woodland, and Worden Elementary. Cassens Elementary earned an Exemplary designation, placing it in the top 10% of schools statewide. Columbus, Woodland, and Worden received a Commendable designation, meaning they had no underperforming student groups and continue to demonstrate strong academic performance.  

Our goal is for every District #7 school to achieve an Exemplary designation. This year, all four of our Intermediate Schools made meaningful progress toward that goal.  

The growth we’re seeing is a direct result of the dedication our students, staff, families, and community bring to preserving our tradition of excellence in academics, activities, and character. 

Understanding the Indicators: 

The Growth Indicator looks at student-level progress in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math between consecutive years of state testing (grades 3–8). It uses a Student Growth Percentile (SGP) model, which compares a student’s growth to other Illinois students who had similar prior test scores. 

• Strong Growth: Above 60th percentile 

• Average Growth: 40th and 60th percentile 

• Low Growth: Below 40th percentile 

The Proficiency Indicator represents the percentage of students scoring a 3 or 4 on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) in Math and English Language Arts. Due to a statewide change in proficiency calculations this year, 2025 will serve as our new baseline moving forward.    

Chronic Absenteeism is defined as any student who has missed more than 10% of the school year. On average, students that are chronically absent have missed at least 17 days of school.   

How our schools performed this year: 

Cassens Elementary School 

Glows (Successes): 

• Exemplary Designation 

• Strong growth in both subjects: 61.4 percentile in Math and 65.77 percentile in ELA.  

• High parent engagement, with a 5Essentials survey participation rate of 59.3%, above the state average of 18.5%. 

• The effective leader category grew by 23 points and collaborative teachers grew by 21 points. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Strengthening Science Proficiency (56.13%) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 8.54% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Columbus Elementary 

Glows (Successes): 

• Commendable Designation 

• Strong Math growth with a 63.1 percentile Growth Indicator.  

• High parent engagement with a 41.1% 5Essentials survey participation rate, above the state average of 18.5%. 

• The effective leader category grew by 19 points and supportive environment grew by 19 points. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Strengthening ELA growth (56.29 percentile) to support all learners. 

• Continue to build Science Proficiency (58.77%) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 13.79% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Woodland Elementary 

Glows (Successes): 

• Commendable Designation 

• Strong ELA growth with a 62.25 percentile Growth Indicator. 

• Strong parent engagement with at 41.9% 5Essentials survey participation rate, above the state average of 18.5%. 

• The effective leader category grew by 30 points and collaborative teacher grew by 23 points. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Strengthening Math growth (58.45 percentile) to support all learners. 

• Continuing to improve Science Proficiency (59.86%) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 15.95% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Worden Elementary School 

Glows (Successes): 

• Commendable Designation (0.3 percentage points away from an Exemplary designation) 

• Strong growth in Math and ELA with a Growth Indicator scores of 63.96 percentile in Math and 60.38 percentile in ELA. 

• High parent engagement with a 59.3% 5Essentials survey participation rate, well above the state average of 18.5%. 

• Four out of Five 5Essentials ranked as "strong”: Effective Leaders, Ambitious Instruction, Supportive Environment, and Collaborative Teachers.  

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Strengthening Science Proficiency (51.09%) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 11.42% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

There is a great deal to celebrate in how our students performed compared to schools across the Metro East and the state of Illinois. The achievements of Cassens, Columbus, Woodland, and Worden Elementary Schools reflect the dedication and partnership of our students, staff, families, and community. As we honor this progress, we remain focused on continuous improvement, addressing areas for growth and finding new ways to empower every student to achieve personal success. 

Dr. Allen Duncan Jr. 
Acting Superintendent