Summary:
The city of Olney, Illinois is home to 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, all part of the Richland County CUSD 1 district. The schools in Olney demonstrate a mix of academic performance, with Richland County Middle School standing out as a top performer, particularly in English Language Arts, where 63.4% of students were proficient or better in the 2024-2025 school year. Meanwhile, Richland County High School lags behind the state in ACT and SAT performance, despite having a strong graduation rate of 89% and a relatively low dropout rate of 2.4%.
Across the district, chronic absenteeism is a concern, with rates ranging from 25.4% to 25.4% at the schools for which data is available. This suggests the district should investigate the root causes and implement strategies to improve student attendance. Additionally, the schools serve varying levels of economically disadvantaged students, with Richland County Elementary School having the highest free/reduced lunch rate at 62.51% and Richland County High School the lowest at 44.78%. This diversity in student population may require tailored approaches to support student needs.
Overall, the schools in Olney, Illinois demonstrate a mix of strengths and areas for improvement. While Richland County Middle School stands out as a top performer, the district should focus on addressing the high chronic absenteeism rates and disparities in test score performance, particularly at the high school level. By implementing targeted strategies and supporting the diverse needs of the student population, the Richland County CUSD 1 district can work to ensure all students in Olney have access to a high-quality education.
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