Under new Illinois school rating system, 6 District 65 schools ranked ‘exemplary’
Emily Tran is a passionate arts reporter with a degree in Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago. She previously worked at the Chicago Reader and brings her love for local culture and creativity to her reporting on Evanston's vibrant arts scene.
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After rating system changes for Illinois schools, Dawes, Dewey, Orrington, Walker, Washington and Willard elementary schools in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 received “exemplary” status on the 2025-26 Illinois Report Card. Chute, Haven and Nichols middle schools received an “approaching exemplary” rating. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School and Lincoln, Lincolnwood and Oakton elementary schools each received a “commendable” rating. Ratings take into account student outcomes, progress, engagement and school experience. This year, though, the way the state rates schools changed significantly. New categories Previously, the state divided schools into four categories, from highest to lowest: exemplary, commendable, targeted and comprehensive. Under new guidelines approved by the Illinois State Board of Education in April, there are five categories, from highest to lowest: exemplary, approaching exemplary, commendable, developing and comprehensive.