Town: Elgin

Success story: The only one of eight Elgin Area School District U-46 middle schools to meet improvement goals for the past three years.

How it got there: A special focus on both reading and writing, with in-school and after-school interventions for students not quite performing at grade level. Abbott also holds weekly assemblies focusing on student success.

What it plans for next year: Incorporating aspects of a new study skills course for average performers into the entire school curriculum. Good note-taking will be one focus.

"A lot of it goes to the dedication of our teachers and really believing kids can do it. Failure is not an option here at Abbott. You cannot and you will not fail."

- Principal Shelly Hertzog