Will County Gazette

Frankfort School District 157-C has reported strong academic results in the latest Illinois Report Card released by the Illinois State Board of Education. The district, which covers Will County and includes Chelsea Elementary School, Grand Prairie Elementary School, and Hickory Creek Middle School, achieved some of the highest proficiency rates in the state for the 2024–2025 school year.

According to data from www.illinoisreportcard.com, students in Frankfort School District 157-C reached proficiency rates of 87.9% in English language arts, 81.4% in mathematics, and 73.2% in science under new statewide benchmarks. These results place the district among Illinois' top-performing systems.

“This annual report is much more than a collection of data points; it is a testament to the dedication of our students, the commitment of our exceptional educators and staff, and the unwavering support of our engaged parents and community members," said FSD 157-C Superintendent Dr. Doug Wernet. "All members of our school community should feel proud of these results. The growth and accomplishments of our students are truly impressive.”

Student growth was also highlighted as a key area of success for the district. Growth Percentiles were measured at 61.8 in English Language Arts and 61.0 in Mathematics, showing that students are making more than a year’s worth of academic progress compared to peers statewide.

“These growth figures are a testament to the personalized approach our teachers take to meet students exactly where they are,” said Dr. Wernet. “This is where the true impact of our dedicated staff shines through, and we are thrilled with these results.”

Each school receives an annual summative designation based on several performance indicators such as student proficiency, academic growth, and school climate. For 2025, both Hickory Creek Middle School and Chelsea Intermediate School received "Exemplary" designations (top 10% statewide), while Grand Prairie Elementary School was rated "Commendable" (top half statewide).

Dr. Wernet emphasized that standardized assessments provide just one perspective on student achievement: “This data helps us refine our conversations about where we can continue to grow,” he said. “This isn’t about celebrating scores—it’s about being transparent, accountable, and focused on growth," Wernet added. "Standardized assessments are one way the state measures school and student success, and we take that responsibility seriously. However, they represent only one piece of the bigger picture.”

He continued: “We measure success in many other ways that matter deeply to our mission—helping students develop strong study habits and executive functioning skills, supporting their emotional well-being, building independence, encouraging participation in a wide range of activities, and ensuring that every child feels safe, connected, and happy to come to school each day.”

The district's demographic makeup is predominantly White at nearly 80%, with Black students making up about 6.7%, Hispanic students at approximately 6.4%, and Asian students at around 2.7%. Additional information on demographics can be found at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.

The district employs 168 teachers with an average salary of $57,205 before pension contributions; nearly nine out of ten teachers are women according to ISBE data available at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/. There were no teachers recorded with more than ten absences during a single school year.

Financially, Frankfort Community Consolidated School District 157C spent $17,992 per student in fiscal year 2020 for a total expenditure exceeding $45 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

A presentation detailing all Report Card indicators will be held during the Board of Education meeting scheduled for Monday, November 18 at Grand Prairie Elementary School.

More details on Frankfort School District 157-C’s performance can be accessed via www.illinoisreportcard.com.