Westmont, Illinois -- Date Issued: June 4, 2021
At the June 3 Village Board meeting, Mayor Gunter and the Village Board recognized recent accomplishments by the Westmont High School and CUSD201. Superintendent Kevin Carey shared with the board some of their recent highlights. “These accomplishments are the result of a team effort in which everyone plays a role in our success - the students, families, teachers, support staff and administration should be proud of these accomplishments,” said Carey. Pictures from the presentation can be found in the Village of Westmont Photo Gallery.
WESTMONT HIGH SCHOOL STATE & NATIONAL HONORS
Westmont High School continues to excel as not only the most improved school in the country, but as one of the top performing high schools in the nation. The organization GreatSchools.org, which ranks every public school in the United States, gave Westmont High School a 10 out of 10 rating. Westmont is the only high school in DuPage County to earn the highest rating and is one of 15 regular high schools in the state to earn this ranking out of over 650. These rankings are listed online and viewed by millions of people as they are in the home buying process, which improves local property values. Additional information regarding this ranking can be found on the GreatSchools.org website.
Westmont High School has also earned an Exemplary rating, which is the highest rating possible, from the Illinois State Board of Education, and is one of the very few high schools in Illinois to earn this rating. In the Jay Mathews–Washington Post Challenge Index 2020, featured in the new book “An Optimist’s Guide to American Education,” Westmont High School is ranked number one of non-selective enrollment high schools in Illinois. In a list dominated by selective enrollment and affluent schools, Westmont ranks in the top 1% in the nation while over 30% of Westmont High School students live in economic poverty. This is the oldest national system that ranks high schools in the United States, and Westmont ranks number 2 overall in Illinois and number 154 in the nation.
Westmont was recognized in 2020 as the Best Professional Learning Community in America as the winner of the DuFour Award. This award has the largest cash prize of $25,000.00 in the country. Dr. Anthony Muhammad, a leading author and speaker on school culture and equity stated, “The gains at Westmont High School, especially for students of color and students of poverty, should be studied by scholars nationally and internationally as a beacon of hope for schools striving to produce equity.”
Over the last seven years, 99% of Westmont High School students have graduated. During this time, overall test scores have been excellent. Westmont’s Advanced Placement program is also one of the most improved and top performing AP programs in the country. Additional information regarding Westmont High School can be found on the Westmont High School Illinois School Report Card website.
SCHOLASTIC BOWL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Eight Westmont High School students recently competed in the National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT) in both the Small School and Very Small School categories. Westmont is the first school to ever earn a National Championship in both categories in the same year earning a record of 15-0 in the tournament. Westmont High School competed against 40 other schools from all over the U.S. in the Traditional Public School Division and won the division. Congratulations to students Akshar Goyal, Mark Michalik, Stephen Michalik, Omer Mohsin, Lily Sakalys, Michael Smith, Pranav Viswanath, Diana Zheng and Head Coach Tom DeMay, as well as Assistant Coaches Margaret Scheidel & Nathan Chamberlain.
NAQT, which was founded in 1996, provides a standardized, nationwide competition format that is open to all middle schools, high schools, homeschool collectives, community colleges, and colleges. In addition to its national championships, NAQT provides questions to invitational tournaments and league championships throughout the year as well as television shows and online games.
These accomplishments are the result of an entire school community effort. Congratulations Community Unit School District 201 on all your accomplishments.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont
Communications Director/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280
lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
