LTHS Makes It a Dozen Straight Bright A+ Awards, D101 Also Wins

For the 12th year in a row, Lyons Township High School has been awarded with the Bright A+ award, which recognizes the top five percent of all Illinois districts with regard to the average ACT score of its students.

LTHS's average ACT of 23.8 is over three points higher than the Illinois state average of 20.7, and only slightly less high over the national average of 21.1, said LTHS Director of Community Relations Jennifer Bialobok.

"It's something that we are accustomed to getting," said Bialobok. "The ACT is one test given on one day, so like anything, you need to be a little cautious of that. But it's a recognition. The fact that we sit among the top five percent of the state is significant—it's a credit to our students and our teachers."

Western Springs District 101 also received the award for the elementary and middle school division, also called the Bright Red Apple Award. Superintendent Brian Barnhart was unavailable for comment, as he is in Washington accepting McClure Junior High's Blue Ribbon Award.

"[Western Springs] parents support our kids very much with their time and resources, and we've got some fabulous teachers who not only teach but go beyond, modifying their teaching to students' needs," said Michael Fustin, D101 Assistant Superintendent, who added that the district has won the award for at least the last five years.

"We are fortunate enough to have that type of community. It's consistently so, each year... I'm very proud of our staff and the work that they do, and they can do that kind of work because of the support they get parental-wise."

The elementary criteria for the Bright A+, according to the awards press release, is "based on the average percentage of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade ISAT  meets or exceeds percentages of Reading & Math."

The Bright A+ awards are given out by SchoolSearch, who, according to an LTHS release, are "a firm that provides comparative school district information to corporations, homebuilders, libraries, real estate professionals and relocating families."