ISU Laboratory Schools

The ISU Laboratory Schools district in Illinois is home to two standout schools - University High School and Thomas Metcalf School. University High School is the clear standout, consistently ranking among the top 10-20 high schools in Illinois and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. In contrast, while Thomas Metcalf School is still a strong performer, it is ranked in the top 200-300 elementary schools in the state and has a 4-star rating.

University High School's academic excellence is evident in its impressive test scores, which are significantly higher than the state averages in English Language Arts, Math, and Science. The school's graduation rate of 89% and dropout rate of just 2.4% further demonstrate its commitment to student success. However, both University High School and Thomas Metcalf School have relatively high chronic absenteeism rates around 25%, which could be an area for improvement within the district.

While University High School stands out as the clear academic leader, Thomas Metcalf School also performs well, with test scores above the state averages in English Language Arts, Math, and Science. The school's lower student-teacher ratio of 9.1, compared to University High School's 14.2, may contribute to its strong academic performance. Additionally, Thomas Metcalf School has a relatively low percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients, suggesting a more affluent student population that could also be a factor in the school's success.