Pioneer Rates An A+

In a recent Chicago Magazine article titled, "The A+ Team", Pioneer Elementary School was listed among the top 115 schools in the region, and one of the top ten in Will County. The magazine considered statistical data including average class sizes, expenditure per student, and standardized test scores to compile their rankings. The schools were then grouped by county, and the city of Chicago.

"While we are pleased to be included in this list of fine schools, it is very difficult to merely take numbers, statistics, and dollars, and extrapolate that into how well a student in a particular classroom is being prepared for success in academics and as a productive member of society," said Phillip W. Schoffstall, Superintendent of Schools for Valley View Schools District 365U. "Our teachers and administrators utilize a set of core beliefs in our interaction with children that we firmly believe allows each child to feel cared about, safe, and encouraged to reach their full potential."

Donna Hayley, principal of Pioneer Elementary, says their school's success is a result of dedicated and caring teachers working in partnership with parents. "We are very fortunate to have parents who are actively involved in the educational process. This is a critical component of classroom and overall student achievement."

Schoffstall added, "This article is just one of numerous accolades afforded Valley View schools in recent years by major media and by the Illinois State Board of Education." Earlier this summer, Jamie McGee Elementary School was named an Exemplary School in Illinois by the Illinois Network for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. The designation is in recognition of the progress made by the school in implementing the PBIS system in the school. McGee was also named in 2005 as an Illinois Honor Roll School by the Illinois State Board of Education in recognition of student achievement as measured by ISAT testing over a two year period.

The Chicago Tribune has twice cited Valley View Schools in recent years for student achievement. In 2004, Independence Elementary School was named as one of the top ten elementary schools in Illinois for narrowing the achievement gap between white and non-white students as measured by ISAT scores. The same designation was conferred by the Tribune in 2003 for Pioneer Elementary School.

"We acknowledge that accountability for student achievement is important as we move forward," continued Schoffstall, "but we also believe that beyond the numbers, that it is important for us to also continue our work in partnership with parents and guardians. We believe that all parents want their children to be successful. We believe that all children want to learn and achieve success, and that children want recognition for their achievement. We believe that the teachers we have hired in this district want to give their best each and every day. We will continue to provide the human, technological, and support resources needed to allow these goals to be achieved in every one of our schools."