LEMONT, IL — Oakwood, River Valley, Central and Old Quarry have all earned the top honors under the new 2026 accountability system from the Illinois State Board of Education, the district shared in a news release.
All four schools earned an "exemplary" rating on the 2026 Profile of Performance from ISBE. The exemplary rating is the highest overall performance designation in the state's newly launched accountability framework, according to a news release.
The Profiles of Performance evaluated schools across five overall performance tiers, Exemplary, Approaching Exemplary, Commendable, Developing, and Comprehensive, by measuring three connected pillars: core academic indicators, elevating indicators that support student success, and equitable student group performance.
"Earning an Exemplary rating in every single school across District 113A is a testament to the relentless dedication of our teachers and staff, the partnership of our parents, and the daily effort of our students," Dr. Courtney Orzel, SD113A Superintendent, said in a news release. "Achieving Illinois' highest performance standard in all four of our schools while maintaining one of the lowest per-pupil spending among our comparable suburban peers proves that instructional excellence and responsible taxpayer stewardship can go hand in hand."
The District said it ranks in the 15th percentile statewide for per-pupil operational spending, meaning approximately 85 percent of Illinois school districts spend more per student than SD113A.
According to the District, across the 2025-2026 Illinois State Report Card, District 113A students ranked:
IAR student growth percentiles reached the 86th percentile statewide in Math and the 85th percentile in ELA, while English Learner progress ranked in the 81st percentile statewide, and the District saw increases in student attendance as well as teacher retention rates, according to the news release.
The District said the gap between SD113A's average class size and the state average also widened from 3.6 to 4.1 students more per classroom (2025-26 school year).
"Student success doesn't happen by accident. It happens when dedicated educators, supportive families, and a community that values education work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed," Orzel said. "Seeing all four of our schools earn Exemplary status alongside a top-tier family partnership is a proud milestone for our entire SD113A community."
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