District 157-C Schools Earn Top State Designations on 2025 Report Card

Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | Nov. 2025

Article Summary: Frankfort School District 157-C celebrated high achievement marks on the 2025 Illinois Report Card, with two schools earning “Exemplary” status. Data shows district students are significantly outperforming state averages in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.

Illinois Report Card Key Points:

• Exemplary Status: Hickory Creek Middle School and Chelsea Intermediate School received the state’s highest designation, “Exemplary,” placing them in the top 10% of schools statewide.

• Commendable Status: Grand Prairie Elementary School received a “Commendable” designation.

• Proficiency Rates: District proficiency rates were 87.9% in English Language Arts (ELA), 81.4% in Math, and 73.2% in Science.

• State Comparison: The district’s ELA proficiency of 88.4% far exceeds the state average of roughly 41%.

Frankfort School District 157-C continues to rank among the top-performing districts in Illinois, according to the 2025 Illinois Report Card data presented to the Board of Education on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Superintendent Dr. Doug Wernet and district administrators highlighted the results, which showed that two of the district’s three schools—Hickory Creek Middle School and Chelsea Intermediate School—achieved “Exemplary” status. This designation is reserved for the top 10% of schools in the state. Grand Prairie Elementary School received a “Commendable” designation.

“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,” Dr. Wernet stated in a press release regarding the results.

The district’s academic proficiency rates significantly outpaced state averages. In English Language Arts (ELA), 87.9% of district students met or exceeded standards, compared to the state average. In Mathematics, the district achieved an 81.4% proficiency rate, and in Science, students recorded a 73.2% proficiency rate.

Student growth data was also a focal point of the presentation. The district reported a Growth Percentile of 61.8 in ELA and 61.0 in Math, indicating that students are making more than a year’s worth of academic progress compared to their peers statewide.

Dr. Wernet noted that while the test scores are a point of pride, they represent only one metric of the district’s mission to help students develop strong study habits and social-emotional skills.