Southern Illinois schools earn Exemplary ratings on 2026 Illinois Report Card

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) — Several Southern Illinois schools have earned the state’s highest overall designation on the 2026 Illinois Report Card.

Carterville High School, Tri-C Elementary School, Giant City School and Vienna High School were among the schools receiving an Exemplary designation.

The report cards, released Oct. 30, reflect the 2025-26 school year and evaluate schools based on academic achievement, student growth, attendance and other performance measures.

Carterville High School earned the designation for the fifth consecutive year.

“We are extremely proud of our students and staff for their hard work and dedication,” the school said.

Tri-C Elementary School also received an Exemplary designation. School officials credited students, teachers, staff and families for the achievement.

Giant City School, located south of Carbondale, earned the same recognition. The district serves approximately 225 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade.

“This is a pretty special day for Giant City,” Superintendent and Principal Kristopher Mason said in a news release. “We have a tremendous group of teachers and staff who care deeply about our kids. They work hard, they know their students, and they take a lot of pride in what happens in this building. I’m thrilled to see them receive this recognition.”

Giant City received Exemplary ratings in consistent attendance and school climate. The school received Approaching Exemplary ratings in academic proficiency and student growth.

Mason said the district focuses on academic success while creating an environment where students feel comfortable and connected.

“We want our students to be successful academically, but we also want them to enjoy coming to school, build relationships, and feel like they’re part of something. Those things matter, too,” Mason said.

The school celebrated with a staff luncheon Oct. 30 and student activities during the first week of November.

Vienna High School earned its first Exemplary designation this year. Students and staff celebrated Monday, Nov. 2, with a battle of the bands. The school serves approximately 400 students.

The recognition comes as Illinois implements a new system for evaluating public schools.

Beginning this year, the Illinois State Board of Education is using a system called Profiles of Performance. Schools are evaluated against established performance criteria, including academic proficiency, student growth, graduation rates, attendance and school climate survey participation.

Under the previous system, approximately 10% of schools could receive an Exemplary designation. Under the new system, 28.3% of Illinois schools met the criteria.

The change means an Exemplary designation no longer indicates a school ranks among the top 10% statewide.

Mason said the recognition gives Giant City students, staff and families a reason to celebrate while the district continues working to improve.

“Our students deserve a lot of credit, and so do their families,” Mason said. “We have parents who support what we’re trying to accomplish and a community that consistently steps up when we need something. That makes a difference, especially in a district our size.”