Rock Island-Milan School District #41 (RIMSD #41) is celebrating important milestones highlighted in the 2026 Illinois Report Card, including an increase in the District's four-year graduation rate to 83.7% and the first-ever Exemplary designation for a RIMSD #41 school under Illinois' new accountability system.
Denkmann Elementary School earned the Exemplary designation, the highest level of recognition under the state's new Profiles of Performance framework. Led by Principal Patrick Versluis, Denkmann continues to focus on instructional improvement and supporting the academic growth of every scholar.
"Earning an Exemplary designation is an incredible honor for Denkmann and a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our entire school community," said Principal Versluis. "I am extremely proud of our staff, who come to school each day focused on meeting the needs of every student and helping them grow academically and as individuals. Our students have embraced the challenge of learning, and our families continue to be tremendous partners in supporting their success."
The District's four-year graduation rate increased to 83.7% in 2026, up from 80.4% in 2025 and 79.5% in 2021. The 2026 Illinois Report Card also highlights progress in several other areas, including consistent attendance, English language arts proficiency, discipline, and postsecondary enrollment.
Consistent attendance increased from 61.3% in 2023 to 69.2% in 2026. English language arts proficiency increased from 32.5% to 34.9% on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness and from 27.9% to 29.1% on the ACT. Additionally, discipline incidents declined by 26.3% over three years, from 1,556 in 2023 to 1,151 in 2026. Postsecondary enrollment within 16 months of graduation also recovered to 50%, following a decline to 38% in 2021.
The 2026 Illinois Report Card introduces Profiles of Performance, a redesigned accountability system that evaluates schools against statewide performance criteria. The framework replaces the state's previous accountability designations and provides a broader picture of school performance, helping schools identify strengths and opportunities for continued improvement.
In addition to Denkmann's Exemplary designation, Earl Hanson Elementary School, Rock Island Center for Math and Science, and Eugene Field Elementary School earned Commendable designations. Washington Junior High School, Ridgewood Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Rock Island High School, and Frances Willard Elementary School received Developing designations. Longfellow Elementary School, Edison Junior High School, and Rock Island Academy Elementary School received Comprehensive designations.
Superintendent Dr. Sharon Williams emphasized the importance of using the report card to guide school and District improvement.
"With this new accountability system, we are better positioned to focus on the fundamentals of school and district improvement: increasing learning opportunities and ensuring every scholar has the support needed to succeed," said Dr. Williams.
While the District is encouraged by its progress, the report also identifies areas requiring continued attention, including mathematics proficiency, ninth-grade on-track-to-graduation rates, proficiency rates for Children With Disabilities, and scholar growth in English language arts and mathematics. Consistent attendance also remains a priority, with continued improvement requiring collaboration among schools, families, and the broader community.
RIMSD #41 will continue focusing on literacy and curriculum, targeted learning support, critical transitions into high school, and professional learning during the 2026–2027 school year. These efforts are guided by the District's five-year Strategic Plan and its commitment to ensuring every scholar has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
"We will continue to leverage our five-year Strategic Plan as the framework for school and district improvement," said Dr. Williams. "We have the plan, the tools, a supportive Board of Education, and a talented workforce to help us reach our academic goals. We are proud of the progress we have made, and we remain focused on ensuring that every scholar has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed."
The 2026 Illinois Report Card provides a snapshot of school performance data from the 2025–2026 school year and offers the community an opportunity to celebrate progress while identifying priorities for continued growth.
RIMSD #41 will provide a comprehensive presentation on the 2026 Illinois Report Card during the next regular Board of Education meeting on November 10, 2026, at the District Administration Center. The District will also host an RIMSD #41 Report Card Forum on November 12, 2026, giving scholars, families, employees, and community members an opportunity to learn more about District performance, hear about improvement efforts, and ask questions.
The District encourages the community to review the 2026 Illinois Report Card and participate in these upcoming opportunities to learn more about RIMSD #41's progress and priorities.
