Eight VVSD Schools Earn 'Exemplary' Designation From Illinois State Board Of Education

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Eight Valley View Community Unit School District 365U schools earned the "exemplary" designation from the Illinois State Board of Education based on the 2025-26 data posted to the Illinois Report Card, the District shared in a news release.

B.J. Ward Elementary and Kenneth Hermansen Elementary earned the Exemplary designation for the second year in a row while Beverly Skoff Elementary, John R. Tibbott Elementary, Jonas Salk Elementary, Pioneer Elementary, Robert C. Hill Elementary, and Wood View Elementary also earned the top designation this year.

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The exemplary designation is the highest of five possible summative designations for public schools in Illinois.

Schools with an exemplary overall profile demonstrate strong patterns of performance and have no underperforming student groups, the District said.

VVSD schools earned eight exemplary, seven approaching exemplary and four commendable designations.

"This is exciting news for VVSD and the eight elementary schools earning this designation and is a reflection of the dedication of the staff members at each school, the hard work of students, and the support of families," VVSD Superintendent Dr. Teresa Polson said in a news release.

The annual designation is based on each school's performance on the Illinois Report Card. Schools are assigned points for each indicator, things like chronic absenteeism and academic growth, and the data points are weighted to calculate a total score, according to a news release.

"The designations at all our schools are also indicative of the VVSD community's commitment in laying the foundation for positive student outcomes," Board of Education President Steve Quigley said in a news release. "This is the result of years of dedication by District staff, the Board of Education and community members to provide resources that make a high-quality educational opportunity possible."