Three RPS205 schools named to state honor roll - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Three RPS205 schools named to state honor roll

Three Rockford District 205 schools make a state list and it's the kind of list community members can be proud of.

Those RPS205 schools made the state honor roll for academic performance and improvements.

"It's a reflection of the hard work of our teachers, parents, students and administrators in those buildings so we're very proud of them and proud of their distinction," said Assistant Superintendent Matt Vosberg.

Of the three named, Rockford East is the only high school.  In fact this is the first time a district 205 high school has made the list since the honor roll began.

"It's one of our high schools which has a lot of alumni back in the school which is great and I think that played a factor as well as the students and parents participating in that plan," said Vosberg.

One East student says the award is worth the effort.

"We put in so much work in class time and studying hard just like all the other schools did but it just feels so nice for us to pull out that much of a thing like that.  It's really honorable for East to have that type of title," said Jasmine, an East High sophomore.

She believes recognition like this can only lead to better things.

"That just shows how good Rockford is now.  It makes me feel like if other schools are like this in other states and cities than why can't we be."

Swan Hillman Elementary also won an academic improvement award.  The school's ISAT scores jumped 9% between 2011 and 2012.

Principal Carolyn Kloss says improvement is all an educator can hope for.

"That's always the goal for all of us is just to improve.  Year to year you want to improve whether it's nine percent or whether its two, you want to make progress upward all the time," said Hillman Principal Carolyn Kloss.

Washington Academy also earned an academic excellence award.  The gifted program school has won one every year since 2005.