Joliet Schools Celebrate Improved Graduation Rates and Focus on Disabilities

Joliet Township High School District 204 has reported significant improvements in graduation rates for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the recently released 2025 Illinois School Report Cards. Both Joliet West and Joliet Central high schools are celebrating this upward trend, although efforts are underway to enhance support for students with disabilities at Joliet Central.

The Illinois State Board of Education published its annual school report cards in October, which evaluate schools on various metrics including standardized testing, graduation rates, college readiness, and attendance across different student demographics. Schools in Illinois are categorized based on their performance, with the top 10% designated as exemplary, while the bottom 5% receive a comprehensive designation. Most schools fall into the commendable category, indicating that all student groups are performing above the bottom 5% statewide.

For the second consecutive year, neither Joliet West nor Joliet Central changed their designations. Joliet West is classified as commendable, while Joliet Central remains in the targeted category, specifically focusing on the academic achievement of students with disabilities. Dr. Karla Guseman, the district’s superintendent, emphasized the commitment to improving outcomes for all students, particularly English language learners and those in special education.

To bolster support for special education students, the district plans to enhance its co-teaching model and introduce a new “consult model.” This model assigns special education tutors to work with students who attend regular classes, allowing for tailored support during and outside class. Currently, this initiative is being implemented for freshmen and sophomores, with plans to expand to all grade levels in the future.

Graduation Rates and College Credit Earned

One of the key highlights from the report cards is the improvement in graduation rates, which constitute half of a school’s evaluation. “Our graduation rates at both campuses improved a lot last year,” noted Guseman, highlighting the positive trend. Joliet West boasts a graduation rate of 86.6%, compared to Joliet Central’s 80.8%. Notably, Joliet Central achieved a more than 5% increase from the previous year, while Joliet West improved by just over 3%. The state average graduation rate stands at 87.7%.

Guseman pointed out that the district’s previous graduation rate was 79%, marking substantial growth for a district of this size. Efforts to enhance graduation rates have included increasing virtual tutoring options and expanding recovery programs for students who fall behind on credits.

In addition to graduation rates, the district also tracks college readiness through its Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit programs. During the 2024-2025 academic year, Joliet Township High School students earned 3,811 college credit hours from institutions such as Joliet Junior College, University of St. Francis, College of DuPage, and Lewis University. Furthermore, students sat for over 1,700 AP tests, achieving a passing rate of 63%.

Standardized Test Scores and Challenges Ahead

While the district has seen success in several areas, the ACT proficiency scores have not met state averages in English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science. Joliet West reported proficiency rates of 38.2% in ELA, 27.8% in math, and 38% in science. In comparison, Joliet Central’s rates were 27.7% in ELA, 18.5% in math, and 26.9% in science. Among students with disabilities, proficiency scores were significantly lower, with 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 this data serves as a baseline, particularly since the state has transitioned from the SAT to the ACT as the required standardized test. This change has created new benchmarks for proficiency. She also highlighted that the district faces unique challenges, particularly due to its high population of non-English speaking students.

In Illinois, high school assessments must be taken by at least 95% of students, yet nearly a quarter of the district’s student body consists of English learners. This issue is more pronounced at Joliet Central, where 32.3% of students are classified as English learners, compared to 17.8% at Joliet West. Guseman stated, “It lowers the overall proficiency score, and it’s an unfair expectation to put on those students.”

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