Summary:
The Sterling CUSD 5 district in Illinois serves students from preschool through 12th grade across 6 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The district faces some challenges, with most schools underperforming compared to state averages on academic measures, high chronic absenteeism rates, and a significant population of economically disadvantaged students.
Sterling High School stands out as the highest-performing school in the district, ranking 199 out of 698 Illinois high schools and boasting a 89.0% 4-year graduation rate and a low 2.4% dropout rate. In contrast, Challand Middle School lags behind, with only 37.9% of students proficient or better in ELA and 26% in Math. The elementary schools show more variation, with Washington Elementary and Lincoln Elementary performing better than the district averages in ELA and Math.
Across the district, high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 25.4% to 67.54% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggest equity concerns and the need for targeted interventions to support student learning and attendance. While the district faces significant challenges, identifying and replicating the successful practices of schools like Sterling High School could help improve overall performance and provide more equitable educational opportunities for all students in the Sterling CUSD 5 district.
Thank you for your feedback!