McConnell
McConnell, IL · LATEST NEWS
The Journal Standard
KWQC
The Journal Standard
Freeport graduation rates rise as attendance grows
Freeport School District 145's four-year graduation rate has climbed nearly 13 percentage points since 2023 as attendance and reading measures also show improvement. The district's graduation rate reached 83.5% in 2026, up from 70.7% in 2023, according to a community announcement. The figures come from the 2026 Illinois Report Card. Graduation rates have increased each year since 2023, reaching 75.1% in 2024 and 80% in 2025 before rising to 83.5% this year. "These numbers belong to our students, our families and our staff," Superintendent Anna Alvarado said. "Three years ago, nearly three out of ten of our seniors weren't graduating on time. Now more of our kids are walking across the stage, and they're coming to school more often and reading better along the way. I'm proud of that work. I also want to be honest about where we aren't yet. Math hasn't moved the way it needs to, and that's where we're putting our attention this year." Graduation rates improve among student groups Graduation rates increased among the student groups highlighted by the district. The rate for Black students rose from 54.4% in 2023 to 80.6% this year. The rate among low-income students increased from 60.1% to 79.8%, while
Rockford Register Star
aroundptown.com
Timber Lake Playhouse to Launch 2027 Season with New Artist Director
MOUNT CARROLL, IL — Four months after a foreclosure notice in the local paper raised the question of whether Timber Lake Playhouse would survive its 65th season, the theatre’s Board of Directors announced its 2027 season, the return of a familiar artistic leader, and a financial turnaround that has moved the organization from nearly $800,000 in debt to a position of stability for the first time in years.