Summary:
The city of Kirkland, Illinois is home to two schools: Hiawatha Junior/Senior High School and Hiawatha Elementary School PreK-5, both part of the Hiawatha CUSD 426 district. While the elementary school outperforms the high school in several key metrics, both schools face unique challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Hiawatha Elementary School PreK-5 stands out with a higher statewide ranking, stronger academic performance on state assessments, and lower chronic absenteeism compared to the high school. The elementary school also has a higher rate of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting it serves a more economically disadvantaged population. In contrast, the high school spends more per student but has lower test scores and a higher dropout rate.
Addressing the attendance issues at the high school level and evaluating the allocation of resources across the district could be valuable next steps. Additionally, learning from the elementary school's practices that contribute to its stronger academic outcomes may help improve performance at the high school. Overall, the data indicates opportunities for the district to leverage the strengths of the elementary school to support student success throughout the educational journey.
Thank you for your feedback!