Bridgeview Elementary School has been named an exemplary school for the first time on the Illinois School Report Card, which the state released today.
The school, at 7800 S. Thomas Ave. in Bridgeview, is part of Indian Springs School District 109. Principal Candice Del Prete said the school hit the score that earned it the state’s highest rating.
Staff learned of the designation today. The school marked the news with a celebration in its library, with punch, cupcakes and cookies.
“We have been working hard for years on this, and every year we get a little bit better and a little bit better, and slow and steady wins the race,” Del Prete said.
The state gives every school an annual designation. It is based on overall achievement, achievement by groups of students such as English language learners, academic growth and attendance. Del Prete said state test scores were a big part of the school’s rating.
The complete report is available at illinoisreportcard.com.
Del Prete said the school’s climb took several years. It was first rated comprehensive, a designation she said meant the school needed work, and it used that period as a planning year. The school then earned commendable ratings for two years.
Last year, the school missed the exemplary mark by about 1.3 points, Del Prete said.
“We knew we were close,” she said. “We were knocking on the door, so we were very hopeful that it would happen this year, but you just never know what’s going to happen.”
State testing at the school covers grades three through six. Del Prete, who is in her 10th year as principal, called the result “a collective for sure” and said the credit extends to teachers in the younger grades.
“We have to credit our primary teachers too because they help that foundational piece,” she said. Students build skills in those early grades that they rely on in third and fourth grade, she said.
Del Prete said the work continues.
“We still want to keep this up and keep it going, but it’s very exciting,” she said.