Dupage Policy Journal

Senator John Curran recognized a local high school's inclusion in Niche.com's list of Illinois public schools with the best teachers, saying, "Congratulations Lemont High School!" He made the statement in an Aug. 2 Facebook post.

"Congratulations Lemont High School," said F Curran, State Senator 41st District, according to Facebook.

In his Facebook post, Curran shared a post from Lemont High School announcing their selection. "Lemont High School coming in at No. 6 on Niche's list of Illinois Public High Schools with the Best Teachers!" the school wrote in the Aug. 1 Facebook post.

Screenshot of Sen. John Curran's Aug. 2 Facebook post | Senator John Curran's Facebook page

According to the Lemont High School Facebook post, there was a link to the Niche.com list of Illinois Public High Schools with the Best Teachers and a link to the sixth-ranked Lemont High School. The school received an A+ as an overall grade, with an A+ for clubs and activities, teachers, and administration. The school earned an A for academics, an A- for college prep, and a B- for diversity.

In terms of academics, Niche.com shows an average graduation rate of 97%, 47% proficiency in reading, and 46% proficiency in math. The average SAT score is 1240, and the average ACT score is 27, according to Niche.com.

Lemont High School is southwest of Chicago and educates students from the Village of Lemont as well as portions of Woodridge, Downers Grove, and Darien. The high school started in 1906 with four female students and one male student in the school building at 410 McCarthy Road. By 1925, an 18,000-square-foot building was constructed at the school’s current location with eight classrooms, a library, a science lab, a home economics room, and a gymnasium. In 1950, an 11,500-square-foot gymnasium was constructed along with two classrooms added in 1957 and 1959 respectively.

By spring 2008, according to the school's "About us" page, a $29.6 million three-story classroom addition was completed along with a renovated football stadium. Increased space for computer and science labs as well as Industrial Technology and Consumer Sciences programs were also added. Additionally, a performing arts center was established bringing the school's total area to 360,000 square feet.

Curran is the senator representing residents of Illinois' 41st District since 2017. He served on the DuPage County Board for three terms including time as Vice Chairman of the Board; he also worked in the Cook County Attorney’s Office for 19 years during the 1990s according to his official biography.