Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
With the school year just starting, schools from all over are trying to gain recognition and mark their territory to represent themselves in a positive manner.
For three local schools in particular, that task has already been completed.
Jonas Salk Elementary School, Jane Addams Middle School and Romeoville High School all were proclaimed in the September edition of the Chicago Magazine as top public schools in the Chicagoland area.
“My responsibility is to set vision in the district,” said Dr. James Mitchem, Superintendent of Valley View School District. “All of our schools especially the ones who were acclaimed as high performing have bought into that vision and enacted that vision in a way that impacts our students achievements in ways that would facilitate this type of recognition.”
These three high schools were nominated based on certain factors.
Spending per pupil, attendance, 5E essentials survey data and for high schools graduation rate and freshman on track to graduate.
“I just think its validation for our vision for [the schools nominated],” Mitchem said. “On another survey we were also ranked number one most diverse school district in the state of Illinois, so if you look at the demographics of our district we are the most diverse and its that much more rewording to recognize that we’re able to maximize our efforts with all of our kids.”
Jonas Salk received a 10th-place finish among elementary and middle schools in Will County, Jane Addams was ranked third and Romeoville High School was ranked fourth among high schools where they also received a third place ranking in the annual rankings of America’s Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
“It’s truly a indication and a reflection of all the hard work of the parents involvement, students and teaching staff who is top notch hear,” Jane Addams Middle School principal Teresa Polson said. “We really take pride in the true measure of success with the outcome of the students and what they produce.”
Polson was flattered when she heard about her schools nomination, but said it was a lot more than a one-man effort.
“It was absolutely an honor and it’s a reflection of what we’re doing from the district as a whole, not just our school,” Polson said.
Jonas Salk elementary school principal Alyson Ewald also said the recognition doesn’t just come from one place, but a collective effort helped receive this nomination.
“You have to give the credit to the parents, students and teachers because the staff is amazing here at Jonas Salk,” Ewald said. “[Jonas Salk] is just so open to learning and growing with our students which puts them in the best possible learning environment for the students to succeed.”
Ewald said that with them having a new school theme this year called, ‘Crusader Proud’ they want to focus on school spirit and having high school morale.
“We want to be proud of the work were doing here,” Ewald said. “We’re learning to be learners, pride ourselves on valuable work and being productive citizens is apart of our culture here while also having great relationships all around the board.”
As for Romeoville High School principal Derek Kinder, he attributes the nomination to his staff and the perseverance of educational excellence.
“Its very rewarding and this recognition is an honor because it’s a reflection of our staff’s dedication to our students,” Kinder said. “We strive to make positive connections with our students and we strive to push them to levels they never thought they could reach.”
Kinder also gave credit to the district and said as a collective unit the kids are being brought in at an extremely high level which makes the kids easier to adapt to High School level work.
“Our elementary schools and middle schools are preparing our kids better than they ever have,” Kinder said. “The kids are getting to us further along so we push them because of the work they did to get to this point, which is a credit to all of the schools in our district working together.”