Beecher students and teachers received outstanding report cards from the state for 2025 and in some cases, clobbered scores from 2024.
The Beecher District 200U School Board on Feb. 11 received outstanding news from its three principals as most of the scores from the various tests the students took exceeded 2024 totals.
English Language Arts had some eye-popping results in 2025 as it soared to over 70% proficiency in all three schools.
Among the highlights:
- The high school student met or exceeded ELA standards on the ACT test to the tune of 70.5% efficiency – a huge jump over the 29% in 2024. The state average was 52.4%
- The junior high picked up a 78% ELA proficiency rating, which was the best among neighboring districts in the area — Grant Park, Manteno, St. Anne, Peotone, Herscher, Bradley, Crete-Monee and Momence.
- The elementary school racked up a 75% in ELA proficiency via Illinois Assessment of Readiness and Illinois Science Assessment tests. That beat the state average of 53% and also beat out local districts in the area.
Superintendent Jack Gaham said this was a great showing across the board.
“I am very proud of the scores,” he said. “Did we have hiccups? Absolutely. Were we perfect? No. But, doggone it, I will take those scores any day.”
Gaham credited the students for a job well done and threw in kudos to the teachers for their dedication.
“They love the kids here,” Gaham said. “They are seeing the needs and they are stepping up and doing everything they can to help the students out and that is reflected in some of the scores.”
Other news
- The board hired Cassidy Sinwelksi as a grades 3-5 cross categorical teacher for fiscal year 2027.
- The district will be getting a new phone system put into all three schools via CrossTalk Solutions for $21.962.
- The district renewed its Xerox lease for copiers and printers at $1,752 per month.
- Classes will be in session on Feb. 27. It was originally scheduled as an emergency day and is now being used to replace a day in January in which the schools closed because of weather.