Rock Island - Milan School District #41 celebrates improvement in the accountability standings for five schools on the 2025 Illinois Report Card.
Rock Island - Milan School District #41 (RIMSD #41) is celebrating an improved accountability system rating for several schools. Thomas Jefferson Elementary School advanced from Targeted to Commendable and Longfellow Liberal Arts advanced from Comprehensive to Commendable. Principals Ian Scott and Sarah Leonard have been at the forefront of instructional improvement for their schools. Frances Willard Elementary School, Edison Junior High School, and Washington Junior High School improved from Comprehensive to Targeted.
Illinois is required by federal accountability law to assign each school a descriptor of how well it is meeting the needs of its students. This designation is based on several indicators of academic performance, including: academic proficiency and growth in ELA and Math, Chronic Absenteeism, Science Proficiency, English Learner Progress to Proficiency, and Climate Survey participation. This year, RIMSD #41 has seven schools in the Commendable category, four schools in the Targeted category, and one school in the Comprehensive category.
Superintendent Dr. Sharon Williams praised the efforts of school leaders and staff across the district. “Our school community expects excellence from our schools, and we are pleased that five of our schools have made strides in the Illinois accountability system,” said Dr. Williams. “We have room to grow and are focusing our efforts on instructional equity. This focus on equity is reflected in our graduation rate and the closing of opportunity gaps for African American and Hispanic scholars. We are proud of our teachers and team members who demonstrate that excellence every day.”
New state data released on Wednesday also shows substantial improvement for RIMSD #41 in the Chronic Absenteeism and Discipline Rates. District leaders are celebrating a 4.4% reduction in the Chronic Absenteeism Rate, from 34.9% in 2024 to 30.5% in 2025, and a three-year reduction of Discipline Incidents of 19.6%, from 1,556 in 2023 to 1,250 in 2025. These results indicate that scholars are continuing to rebound from the pandemic, thanks to the dedication and commitment of RIMSD #41’s outstanding teachers, counselors, social workers, families, and community partners.
At the school level, principals highlighted the teamwork and dedication that made these gains possible. Ian Scott, Principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary, shared, “Our staff has made progress a priority for every student. While we are certainly pleased with our progress according to the Illinois Report Card, we are not done. Through the alignment of our MTSS and strengthening instruction in foundational skills, we are ready to keep moving the needle each year here at TJ!”
Sarah Leonard, Principal of Longfellow Liberal Arts, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the collective effort behind their success. “Our success is truly a team effort,” said Leonard. “From our interventionists and office staff to our custodians and support staff - everyone plays a role in helping our students succeed. We also couldn’t do this without our teachers who show up and support learning every day, and our partners at Augustana College and Spring Forward who continue to invest in our scholars. Our future success will continue to be a total team effort for all scholars.”
In addition to its impressive achievements in the past year, RIMSD #41 is committed to continuous school improvement. In the upcoming school year, our educators and administrators will engage scholars, families, and community partners in their ongoing efforts to improve our 9th Grade on Track to Graduation and 4-year Graduation Rate. The Rock Island High School leadership team is partnering with the Center for High School Success to improve the systems and structures of support for 9th grade scholars. Although we saw a slight decrease in the 4-year Graduation Rate, from 82.4% in the 2024 school year to 80.4% in the 2025 school year, we are pleased that the opportunity gap has decreased for African American and Hispanic scholars, who are graduating at or above the average for all scholars at 80% and 83% respectively.
The 2025 Illinois Report Card, released by the Illinois State Board of Education, provides a detailed look at student performance data from the 2024-2025 school year. The report offers the school community an opportunity to reflect on last year’s strengths and identify areas for continued growth. RIMSD #41 believes every single scholar can meet high expectations and that families and community members are a critical partner in each child’s education. The district’s full report card can be viewed at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/District.aspx?districtId=49081041025.
RIMSD #41 will provide a comprehensive presentation on the 2025 report card at the next regular Board of Education meeting on November 10, 2025, at the RIMSD #41 Administration Center. The district is proud of its progress and remains focused on ensuring that all scholars continue to learn, grow, and succeed.