Calumet City School District 155

The Calumet City School District 155 in Illinois operates three schools: two elementary schools (Wilson Elementary School and Wentworth Intermediate School) and one middle school (Wentworth Junior High School). However, the data analysis reveals that none of these schools are performing at a high level, with all three schools scoring significantly below state averages on key metrics such as test scores and chronic absenteeism rates.

The test scores across the district are particularly concerning, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science falling well short of the state averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in ELA ranged from just 10.2% at Wentworth Intermediate School to 15.5% at Wentworth Junior High School, compared to the state average of 41.2%. The mathematics proficiency rates are even lower, with individual grade-level scores ranging from 0% to 9.7% proficient or better, far below the state average of 28.4%.

Chronic absenteeism is also a significant issue across the district, with rates ranging from 31.1% at Wentworth Intermediate School to 38.0% at Wilson Elementary School, much higher than the state average. Additionally, the schools have high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student populations. Despite the district's higher-than-average spending per student, these challenges have persisted, suggesting the need for a comprehensive, long-term strategy to address the underlying issues and drive sustainable improvements in educational outcomes for the students of Calumet City School District 155.