Students and staff at Lyons Township High School are celebrating a recent recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education, which named the school to its annual Illinois Report Card “Exemplary School” list, one of the highest distinctions the state awards to public schools.
Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education evaluates schools across the state based on factors such as student performance, graduation rates, and overall academic progress. Schools that rank in the top 10 percent statewide with no significant achievement gaps among student groups are designated as “Exemplary Schools.” Lyons Township High School earned the designation based on its most recent academic performance data.
School administrators say the recognition reflects years of effort by teachers, staff, students, and families who have worked together to maintain strong academic standards. With more than 4,000 students across its North and South campuses, Lyons Township High School is one of the largest high schools in the state, offering a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, career and technical programs, and extracurricular opportunities.
“This recognition is really about the work our students and teachers do every day,” said an LT administrator following the announcement. “Our community places a strong emphasis on education, and our staff works incredibly hard to create an environment where students can succeed academically while also growing as individuals.”
Lyons Township was not the only local school recognized for strong performance. Several nearby elementary schools in La Grange School District 102 also received positive marks on the state’s Illinois Report Card for student achievement and growth. District leaders say the strong performance at the elementary and middle school level helps prepare students for the academic demands they will encounter in high school.
Parents in La Grange say academic recognition like this reinforces why education remains one of the most important aspects of the community. Strong schools have long been a major factor for families choosing to live in the western suburbs.
“When we were deciding where to move, the schools were a huge part of that decision,” said La Grange resident Amanda Collins, whose two children attend local schools. “Seeing schools here recognized by the state just confirms that we made the right choice.”
Educators say recognitions such as the Exemplary School designation are encouraging, but they stress that improvement remains an ongoing process. School leaders continue to monitor student performance data, expand academic support programs, and explore new teaching strategies designed to help every student succeed.
“Our focus is always on what we can do next to support students,” the administrator said. “Awards are great, but the real goal is making sure every student who walks through our doors leaves prepared for the future.”
The Illinois State Board of Education publishes its annual school performance ratings through the Illinois Report Card, which provides detailed information on academic achievement, graduation rates, school climate, and other indicators for schools across the state.
