Dupage Policy Journal

The Glen Ellyn school board gets an update on their students going into other districts.

“So we're really, really happy with that,” Glenbard West Principal Peter Monaghan said during the meeting. “We feel like Hadley students, when they come to Glenbard West, are prepared. We set them up for success with some of those different supports that I talked about. I really like that presentation from your EL department because I think that that really aligns with our philosophy around how we serve students and how important it is to have what we call warm demanders in those roles. People who are going to challenge students but are always going to be there for them, are always going to connect with them individually. They're not just going to be nice and give them a donut and send them out the door. They have to challenge them. We have to promote that growth. We have to put them into those spaces where they're reaching.”

The board uploaded a livestream of its public meeting to the district’s YouTube channel.

At their February 21 board of education meeting, district members from Glen Ellyn school district welcomed Monaghan the high school district that their junior high students enter after 8th grade. Monaghan was at the meeting to present some data on how the Glen Ellyn students fared in the high school after they leave the district. He started off by explaining some of the culture and expectations of the high school, including their portrait of a graduate, which focuses on six areas: creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, embracing diversity, and self-empowerment, all meant to prepare students to best succeed in life after high school in any college or career path they choose to enter into.

The board also discussed purchasing Chromebooks for its students for approximately $200 thousand.

Monaghan also spoke about the goals for preparation and independence they have for freshmen coming into the school, as well as many of the supports and programs they have for students at the school, like the library, writing center, assistance periods throughout the day, and several other aspects. He then showcased the success of Hadley Junior High students entering Glenbard West. A large portion of Hadley students take one or more advanced classes their freshman year. 58% are taking English I Honors, 42% are taking Biology Honors, 37% are taking World History Honors, and 71% are at or above competency rates in math. He then showcased the grade history from Hadley students this past semester, with only 9 F grades across the board. There was a very high distribution of As, Bs and Cs in the Honors Biology class, and over 50% of English I Honors students received an A, with 36% receiving a B. 75% of all grades from all classes taken by all Hadley students are either an A or a B, 94% of grades are a C or higher.

The council will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on March 20 at Hadley Jr. High School at 2400 Hawthorne Boulevard. 

He also addressed AP courses and SAT scores, with almost 90% of Hadley students taking at least one AP course and exam before they graduated, and the most recent class showed an SAT score of 60% meeting and exceeding both areas, 82% meeting or exceeding in math, and 62% meeting and exceeding in English.