Illinois School Report Card Highlights: Primary Schools

December 4, 2025 

Dear District #7 Families,  

As part of our continuing series highlighting results from the 2025 Illinois Report Card by school level, we are proud this week to recognize our Primary Schools (K–2nd grade): Goshen, Glen Carbon, Hamel, Leclaire, Midway and Nelson Elementary. Glen Carbon and Goshen earned an Exemplary designation, placing them among the top 10% of schools statewide. Hamel, Leclaire, Midway, and Nelson each received a Commendable designation, indicating they had no underperforming student groups and continue to demonstrate strong academic achievement. 

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

The growth we’re seeing reflects the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community in continuing District #7’s 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: 

Glen Carbon 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 52.9%, above the state average of 18.5%. 

• The effective leader category grew by 24 points, and collaborative teachers grew by 21 points. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

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

• Chronic absenteeism at 11.6% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Goshen Elementary 

Glows (Successes): 

• Exemplary Designation 

• Strong growth in both subjects: 65.09 percentile in Math and 67.24 percentile in ELA.  

• High parent engagement with a 30.6% 5Essentials survey participation rate, above the state average of 18.5%. 

• The effective leader category grew by 18 points, and collaborative teachers grew by 17 points. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Chronic absenteeism at 13% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Hamel Elementary 

Glows (Successes): 

• Commendable Designation 

• Strong Math growth with a 64.71 percentile Growth Indicator. 

• Strong parent engagement with at 50% 5Essentials survey participation rate, above the state average of 18.5%. 

• The collaborative teacher category grew by 8 points. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Strengthening ELA growth (52.86 percentile) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 17.5% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Leclaire Elementary School 

Glows (Successes): 

• Commendable Designation 

• High parent engagement with a 59.1% 5Essentials survey participation rate, well above the state average of 18.5%. 

• The collaborative teacher category grew by 15 points, effective leader category grew by 14 points, and the involved families category grew by 10 points. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Strengthening ELA growth (51.81 percentile) and Math growth (52.8 percentile) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 14.4% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Midway Elementary School 

Glows (Successes): 

• Commendable Designation 

• Strong Math growth with 62.3 percentile growth indicator. 

• High parent engagement with 55.8% 5Essential survey participation rate, well above the state average of 18.5%. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth): 

• Strengthening ELA growth (52.33 percentile) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 11.1% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further.  

• Ongoing efforts to close identified achievement gaps. 

 

Nelson Elementary School 

Glows (Successes): 

• Commendable Designation 

• Strong ELA growth with 61.02 percentile growth indicator. 

• High parent engagement with a 42.1% 5Essentials survey participation rate, above the state average of 18.5%. 

Grows (Opportunities for Growth) 

• Strengthening Math Growth (56.27 percentile) to support all learners. 

• Chronic absenteeism at 17.6% is below the state average of 25.4%, with continued efforts to reduce it further. 

There is much to celebrate in our students’ performance compared to schools across the Metro East and throughout Illinois. The accomplishments of Glen Carbon, Goshen, Hamel, Leclaire, Midway, and Nelson.  Schools highlight the dedication and collaboration of our students, staff, families, and community. As we celebrate these successes, we remain committed to continuous improvement, addressing areas for growth and discovering new ways to help ensure each student achieves personal success. 

Dr. Allen Duncan Jr. 
Acting Superintendent