Aurora East Unified School District 131

The Aurora East Unified School District 131 in Illinois serves 18 schools, including 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 1 high school. The district faces significant academic challenges, with students performing well below state averages on standardized tests, but also has a few standout schools that demonstrate the potential for improvement.

Among the top-performing schools in the district is Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy, a middle school that consistently ranks in the top 250 middle schools in Illinois and earns a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school significantly outperforms the district and state averages, with 86.1% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 49.1% proficient or better in Mathematics. Another high-performing school is C I Johnson Elementary School, which ranks in the top 600 elementary schools in Illinois and has 63.6% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 55% proficient or better in Mathematics.

However, the district as a whole faces significant challenges, with all schools having high rates of chronic absenteeism and a stark achievement gap compared to state averages. For example, at East High School, the only high school in the district, only 13.6% of students are proficient or better in 11th grade Math, compared to the state average of 39.3%. The district also serves a predominantly low-income population, with high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Addressing these systemic issues will be crucial for improving academic outcomes across the Aurora East Unified School District 131.