Springfield School District 186

The Springfield School District 186 in Illinois consists of 30 schools, including 21 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The district serves a diverse student population and faces a range of academic challenges, with significant disparities in performance across its schools.

Among the standout schools in the district, Iles Elementary School ranks among the top 30 elementary schools in Illinois, with exceptional performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics, as well as the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the district. Lincoln Magnet School, a middle school, also performs exceptionally well, ranking in the top 15% of Illinois middle schools with high proficiency rates and low chronic absenteeism. On the other hand, some schools, such as Feitshans Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School, and Lanphier High School, rank among the lowest-performing schools in the state, with very low proficiency rates and high chronic absenteeism.

The data reveals significant disparities in performance and outcomes across the district, with the highest-performing schools vastly outpacing the lowest-performing schools. Chronic absenteeism is a pervasive issue, with several schools reporting rates above 50%, which is likely a significant contributor to the low academic performance observed in many schools. The strong performance of Lincoln Magnet School suggests that the magnet school model may be an effective strategy for improving outcomes in the district.