State awards Dist. 70 schools with Academic Excellence

For the second consecutive year, Adler Park, Butterfield, Copeland Manor, Highland Middle and Rockland schools are being honored with the highest academic award given by the Illinois State Board of Education for providing students with a high quality education.

Each of the five schools in Libertyville Elementary District 70 received the highest award, an “Academic Excellence Award.” They were included with only 459 schools in the state to receive the award. In order to qualify for the award, those 459 schools showed they could sustain high student performance over at least three years. The award was given to schools where at least 90% of students met or exceeded state standards in 2008-2010.

“This is an impressive fête for all five of our schools - and to do it two years in a row is phenomenal,” said Supt. Dr. Guy Schumacher. “This level of excellence continues to express the genuine talents and strengths possessed in District 70. I could not be more proud of our students, staff and community as a whole. “

This is the fifth year Copeland Manor has been honored with the award. This is the third year the award has been given to Adler Park, Butterfield and Rockland schools. Highland Middle School also won the award for the third time, having been awarded the Academic Improvement Award in 2006 for showing substantial student performance gains over three years.

The schools were given the award by the Illinois State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University. This year, 834 schools made the Illinois Honor Roll for their continued academic progress.

Schools can receive three types of awards, including the one District 70 received, which is the highest, the Excellence Award. Schools also can receive the Academic Improvement Award and the Spotlight School award.