For the second year, Wethersfield High School has earned an “Exemplary” designation from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), according to an announcement Friday by the district.
The designation, the highest of five, was released Thursday as part of the 2025 Illinois School Report Card and places WHS among the top 10% of all schools statewide for the second consecutive year. In previous years the school had received the “Commendable” designation, the second highest designation.
Wethersfield earned an overall index score of 97.45. An index score of 91.26 is the minimum required to receive the Exemplary designation.
Beginning in 2018, each Illinois school receives a Summative Designation, “a measure of progress in academic performance and student success,” according to the ISBE website. The designation is based on eight indicators scored in the district’s school report card for the previous academic year. They include English Language Arts (ELA) growth, math growth, ELA proficiency, math proficiency, science proficiency, English learner progress to proficiency, chronic absenteeism and climate.
“This honor is a reflection of the collective commitment of our students, staff, and families,” Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks said in a post on Facebook. “The Wethersfield community continues to demonstrate what can be achieved when everyone works together to create a positive, supportive, and academically rigorous learning environment.”
The other four designations include Commendable, Targeted Support, Comprehensive Support and Intensive Support (bottom 5%). Schools designated as Targeted, Comprehensive or Intensive may receive additional funding and support to improve student outcomes, according to the ISBE.
