Joliet High Schools Boost Graduation Rates, Face Challenges Ahead

Joliet Township High School District 204 has reported significant improvements in graduation rates for both Joliet West and Joliet Central, according to the recently released 2025 Illinois School Report Cards. The data highlights positive trends in overall student performance, although challenges remain, particularly for students with disabilities at Joliet Central.

The Illinois State Board of Education published the annual school report cards in October, providing insights into key metrics such as standardized testing, graduation rates, college readiness, and attendance across various student demographics. Each school received a designation based on its performance, with schools in the top 10% classified as exemplary and those in the bottom 5% as comprehensive. Most schools fall under the commendable category, indicating that all student groups are performing above the bottom 5% statewide.

Neither Joliet West nor Joliet Central changed their designations from the previous year. Joliet West maintained its commendable status, while Joliet Central remained in the targeted category, with a specific emphasis on improving outcomes for students with disabilities.

Dr. Karla Guseman, the district superintendent, expressed a commitment to enhancing achievement for English language learners and special education students. “We’re really focused on Central, especially on achievement for English language learners and special education, and looking for ways to support those learners more,” Guseman stated.

To improve outcomes for special education students, the district is enhancing its co-teaching model and introducing a new “consult model.” This initiative assigns special education tutors to support students in regular classes. These tutors can either assist students during class or provide targeted help outside the classroom. Currently, this model is being implemented for freshmen and sophomores, with plans for expansion across all grades in the future.

Graduation Rates and College Readiness

One of the most notable achievements highlighted in the report is the increase in graduation rates at both schools. Guseman noted that these rates account for half of a school’s overall evaluation. “Our graduation rates at both campuses improved a lot last year,” she remarked.

Joliet West reported a graduation rate of 86.6%, surpassing Joliet Central’s rate of 80.8%. Despite West’s higher rate, Joliet Central experienced a significant increase of more than 5% from the previous year, while West’s rate improved by just over 3%. The state average graduation rate stands at 87.7%.

“Our previous district rate was 79%, so that’s a solid area of growth for one year, especially in a district this big,” Guseman added. The district has implemented various initiatives to boost graduation rates, including virtual tutoring options and expanded recovery programs for students who are behind on credits.

In addition to graduation rates, Guseman highlighted the district’s focus on college readiness. In the 2024-2025 academic year, Joliet Township High School students earned a total of 3,811 college credit hours across institutions such as Joliet Junior College, University of St. Francis, College of DuPage, and Lewis University. Furthermore, students took over 1,700 Advanced Placement (AP) tests, achieving passing grades on 63% of them.

Students also earned 474 certifications in career and technical programs, including culinary arts, cosmetology, and nursing.

Standardized Testing Challenges

Despite successes in graduation rates and college readiness, the district faced challenges in standardized testing. The ACT proficiency scores for students at District 204 fell below the state averages in English Language Arts, math, and science. Joliet West had proficiency rates of 38.2% in ELA, 27.8% in math, and 38% in science, while Joliet Central reported 27.7%, 18.5%, and 26.9% respectively.

For students with disabilities at Joliet Central, proficiency scores were particularly low, with rates of 11.4% in ELA, 10.6% in math, and 10.6% in science. The state averages in these subjects are 52.4% in ELA, 38.4% in math, and 44.8% in science.

Guseman acknowledged that the recent switch from the SAT to the ACT has created a new baseline for proficiency. She emphasized a unique challenge faced by the district, noting, “In Illinois, high school tests are only provided in English. This is a problem for districts like JTHS with a higher than average non-English speaking population.”

Joliet Central has a particularly high percentage of English learners, comprising 32.3% of the student body, while 17.8% of Joliet West’s students fall into this category. Guseman pointed out the implications of these demographics on testing outcomes, stating, “It lowers the overall proficiency score, and it’s an unfair expectation to put on those students.”

Despite these hurdles, Guseman affirmed the district’s ongoing commitment to improvement. “We are a great district, and we are committed to improvement year over year,” she stated. “I believe the data shows that our work has been impactful so far. We’re committed to ensuring we maximize every student’s growth while they’re with us.”