As 29 seniors prepare to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas Sunday afternoon, Wethersfield High School also wraps up a banner year for academics.
It began in November when the school received notice that the high school had received an “Exemplary” designation from the Illinois State Board of Education, the highest of four given based on data gathered by the state in its annual report card. The ranking placed Wethersfield in the top 10% of high schools in the state academically with high marks in science, math and language arts and a 95% graduation rate.
Then, in February, five seniors, the most since 2019, were named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission placing them in the top 10% of high school seniors in the state based on standardized test scores and cumulative grade point average at the end of their junior year.
Finally, at the school board’s May meeting, Junior/Senior High School Principal Tyler Nichols announced that this year’s junior class earned an average cumulative score of 21 on their ACT tests taken in April. Nichols said that compares to the national average score of 19 and topped the 19.4 average of last year’s juniors, now graduating seniors. According to the ACT website, “any score above the national average is considered a good score.”
The board also heard that even the athletes received recognition for their efforts in the classroom this year. Athletic Director Tom McGunnigal reported that both the varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball teams received recognition this past season from the Illinois High School Association and from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association for outstanding academic performance.
“The IHSA recognizes teams for the current school year academic performance encompassing the 2nd and 3rd quarters,” McGunnigal said. “Wethersfield submitted the GPA for all rostered varsity basketball players, calculated and then averaged for the unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale (we have a 5.0 scale and accelerated classes are weighted).”
The girls achieved a team GPA of 3.72 and the boys achieved a GPA of 3.30 (again, unweighted, converted to a 4.0 scale for the 2024-2025 2nd and 3rd quarters).
McGunnigal said the IBCA recognizes teams with their current roster of varsity players on a cumulative basis for their academic performance, therefore, a senior’s GPA is considered over 7 semesters, a junior’s over 5 semesters, etc. The GPAs are also unweighted and converted to reflect a 4.0 scale. The girls achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.74 while the boys achieved a 3.41.
He added that the varsity girls’ volleyball team also received the same recognition from the Illinois High School Association following their season. The grading period was the first semester of the 24-25 school year.
McGunnigal said Wethersfield emphasizes the student in student-athlete.
”You are a student first and you don’t get to be an athlete without first being a good student. Athletic memories and banners will be fantastic to have and look back on; but the education and life-preparedness you receive in the classroom is going to sustain you for a lifetime.”
In a statement released to The Kewanee Voice, Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks said “It truly has been a standout year for academics at Wethersfield High School, and we’re incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments. While these achievements reflect the dedication of the students and staff, they are also the result of intentional, focused efforts rooted in the school district’s broader vision for student success. This year, we placed a strong emphasis on ACT preparation, particularly in response to the State of Illinois returning to the ACT as the official high school accountability exam. Teachers embedded ACT-style questions into instruction and emphasized strategic thinking and test-taking skills to help students feel confident and prepared.”
Dr. Brooks said they also emphasized consistency in grading practices and helped students build academic confidence by ensuring clarity in what they are expected to learn.
“We have been working on layering into all of this a school culture that values effort, accountability, and relationships (as seen in monthly student recognition). It’s not one single initiative that led to these gains, but rather a combination of goals, supportive relationships and a shared belief that every student can achieve at high levels,” he said.
Dr. Brooks said their continued use of NWEA MAP testing from elementary through junior high has helped them to identify learning gaps early, monitor growth and target instruction where it’s needed most.
“By using data to drive decision-making and personalize learning, we’re ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and confidence they need well before reaching high school,” Brooks said. He added that a dedicated staff, a renewed focus on the student and school culture as a whole, and data-driven decisions, will position the entire district to grow, improve and sustain a high level of achievement for years to come.