Despite dismal student performance on annual exams covering math and reading, Illinois high school graduation rates remain high, according to a Prairie State Wire analysis of 2016 data from the Illinois State Board of Education.
The end-of-year tests known as the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, are administered to third- through eighth-graders in Illinois, testing them based on Common Core standards. High-schoolers also took the tests through 2016.Â
A composite score combines the results of the subject tests. Students whose scores either met or exceeded expectations are considered “ready for the next level” by state standards.
Schools’ graduation fraud index shows the difference between the composite passing rate and the graduation rate.
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Bottom 100 Illinois schools graduation fraud index
| Illinois school | School district | County | Annual exam pass rate (%) | Graduation rate (%) | Graduation fraud index |
| Urban Preparatory Chtr Englewood High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 0 | 93.6 | -93.6 |
| Beecher High School | Beecher Cusd 200U | Will | 4.9 | 97.7 | -92.8 |
| Erie High School | Erie Cusd 1 | Whiteside | 9.4 | 98.5 | -89.1 |
| Clark Academy Preparatory Magnet High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 4.1 | 93.1 | -89 |
| Legal Prep Charter Academies | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 7.2 | 95.7 | -88.5 |
| Marine Leadership Academy at Ames | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 11.6 | 100 | -88.4 |
| Bronzeville Scholastic High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 3.7 | 91.7 | -88 |
| Austin College & Career Academy | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 0 | 87.7 | -87.7 |
| Edinburg High School | Edinburg Cusd 4 | Christian | 0 | 87 | -87 |
| Cairo Jr/Sr High School | Cairo Usd 1 | Alexander | 1 | 87.9 | -86.9 |
| Urban Prep-Bronzeville | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 4 | 90.7 | -86.7 |
| Unity High School | Cusd 4 | Adams | 8.8 | 94.2 | -85.4 |
| Geneseo High School | Geneseo Cusd 228 | Henry | 11.9 | 96.6 | -84.7 |
| Woodstock North High School | Woodstock Cusd 200 | Mchenry | 12.4 | 97 | -84.6 |
| Team Englewood Comm Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 0 | 84.1 | -84.1 |
| Young Womens Leadership Chartr High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 5.5 | 89.1 | -83.6 |
| Paw Paw Junior Senior High School | Paw Paw Cusd 271 | Lee | 11.3 | 94.7 | -83.4 |
| Simeon Career Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 8.2 | 91.5 | -83.3 |
| World Language High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 10.7 | 93.6 | -82.9 |
| Iroquois West High School | Iroquois West Cusd 10 | Iroquois | 11 | 93.4 | -82.4 |
| Momence High School | Momence Cusd 1 | Kankakee | 5.9 | 88.2 | -82.3 |
| Century Jr/Sr High School | Century Cusd 100 | Pulaski | 18.3 | 100 | -81.7 |
| Homewood-Flossmoor High School | Homewood Flossmoor Chsd 233 | Cook | 14.5 | 96.1 | -81.6 |
| Uplift Community High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 4.9 | 86.4 | -81.5 |
| Amandla Charter School | Amandla Charter School | Cook | 0.9 | 82.4 | -81.5 |
| Sarah E. Goode Stem Academy | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 15 | 96.4 | -81.4 |
| Greenview Jr/Sr High School | Greenview Cusd 200 | Menard | 7.7 | 88.9 | -81.2 |
| Williams Medical Preparatory High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 11.1 | 92.2 | -81.1 |
| Putnam County High School | Putnam County Cusd 535 | Putnam | 2.2 | 83.1 | -80.9 |
| Beardstown Jr/Sr High School | Beardstown Cusd 15 | Cass | 6.5 | 87.2 | -80.7 |
| Grayville Jr Sr High School | Grayville Cusd 1 | White | 13.5 | 94.1 | -80.6 |
| Rich South Campus High School | Rich Twp Hsd 227 | Cook | 7.2 | 87.6 | -80.4 |
| Thornton Fractnl So High School | Thornton Fractional Twp Hsd 215 | Cook | 16 | 96.2 | -80.2 |
| Raby High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 4.3 | 84.3 | -80 |
| Rich Central Campus High School | Rich Twp Hsd 227 | Cook | 8.5 | 88.4 | -79.9 |
| Urban Prep Academies West | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 1.1 | 81 | -79.9 |
| North-Grand High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 7 | 86.8 | -79.8 |
| Brown County High School | Brown County Cusd 1 | Brown | 13.9 | 93.6 | -79.7 |
| Dunbar Vocational Career Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 3.8 | 83.4 | -79.6 |
| Sterling High School | Sterling Cusd 5 | Whiteside | 9.5 | 88.9 | -79.4 |
| New Tech High – Zion-Benton East | Zion-Benton Twp Hsd 126 | Lake | 15.9 | 95.1 | -79.2 |
| Prophetstown High School | Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico Cusd3 | Whiteside | 13.4 | 92.6 | -79.2 |
| Central High School | Central Cusd 3 | Adams | 12.9 | 91.8 | -78.9 |
| Lewistown High School | Lewistown Cusd 97 | Fulton | 12.7 | 91.3 | -78.6 |
| A-C Central High School | A-C Central Cusd 262 | Cass | 15.7 | 94.1 | -78.4 |
| Cobden Junior High School | Cobden Sud 17 | Union | 20 | 97.8 | -77.8 |
| Arcola High School | Arcola Cusd 306 | Douglas | 20.5 | 98.2 | -77.7 |
| Wauconda High School | Wauconda Cusd 118 | Lake | 14 | 91.7 | -77.7 |
| Spry Community Links High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 8.6 | 86.3 | -77.7 |
| Serena High School | Serena Cusd 2 | Lasalle | 11.4 | 88.7 | -77.3 |
| Catalyst Elem Charter School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 16.2 | 93.3 | -77.1 |
| Ihsca Charter High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 9.8 | 86.8 | -77 |
| Community High School | Chsd 94 | Dupage | 20.1 | 97 | -76.9 |
| Glenbrook South High School | Northfield Twp Hsd 225 | Cook | 19.8 | 96.3 | -76.5 |
| Rickover Naval Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 13.8 | 90.2 | -76.4 |
| Julian High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 4.3 | 80.7 | -76.4 |
| V I T Sr High School | V I T Cusd 2 | Fulton | 15.9 | 92.3 | -76.4 |
| Fulton High School | River Bend Cusd 2 | Whiteside | 15.9 | 92.2 | -76.3 |
| Meridian High School | Meridian Cusd 15 | Macon | 6.4 | 82.7 | -76.3 |
| Windsor Jr & Sr High School | Windsor Cusd 1 | Shelby | 23.8 | 100 | -76.2 |
| Villa Grove High School | Villa Grove Cusd 302 | Douglas | 9.6 | 85.7 | -76.1 |
| Elverado High School | Elverado Cusd 196 | Jackson | 3.9 | 80 | -76.1 |
| Cary-Grove Community High School | Chsd 155 | Mchenry | 22.1 | 97.9 | -75.8 |
| Marengo High School | Marengo Chsd 154 | Mchenry | 16 | 91.8 | -75.8 |
| Tri-City High School | Tri City Cusd 1 | Sangamon | 16.1 | 91.7 | -75.6 |
| Stockton Sr High School | Stockton Cusd 206 | Jodaviess | 7 | 82.6 | -75.6 |
| Genoa-Kingston High School | Genoa Kingston Cusd 424 | Dekalb | 16.2 | 91.7 | -75.5 |
| Freeburg Community High School | Freeburg Chsd 77 | St. Clair | 21.1 | 96.3 | -75.2 |
| Red Bud High School | Red Bud Cusd 132 | Randolph | 15.6 | 90.5 | -74.9 |
| Dupo High School | Dupo Cusd 196 | St. Clair | 13.1 | 88 | -74.9 |
| Westville High School | Westville Cusd 2 | Vermilion | 7.5 | 82.4 | -74.9 |
| Morrisonville High School | Morrisonville Cusd 1 | Christian | 20.4 | 95 | -74.6 |
| Thornton Fractnl No High School | Thornton Fractional Twp Hsd 215 | Cook | 18.3 | 92.7 | -74.4 |
| Martinsville Jr/Sr High School | Martinsville Cusd 3C | Clark | 10.6 | 85 | -74.4 |
| Salt Fork High School | Salt Fork Community Unit District 512 | Vermilion | 23.1 | 97.4 | -74.3 |
| Fieldcrest High School | Fieldcrest Cusd 6 | Woodford | 16.1 | 90.4 | -74.3 |
| Crystal Lake South High School | Chsd 155 | Mchenry | 23.4 | 97.6 | -74.2 |
| Taylorville Sr High School | Taylorville Cusd 3 | Christian | 13.3 | 87.3 | -74 |
| Bloom Township High School | Bloom Twp Hsd 206 | Cook | 4.6 | 78.5 | -73.9 |
| Sparta High School | Sparta Cusd 140 | Randolph | 8.9 | 82.7 | -73.8 |
| Madison Senior High School | Madison Cusd 12 | Madison | 6.8 | 80.6 | -73.8 |
| Chicago Military Academy | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 22.5 | 96.2 | -73.7 |
| Prairie Ridge High School | Chsd 155 | Mchenry | 24.6 | 98.3 | -73.7 |
| Glenwood High School | Ball Chatham Cusd 5 | Sangamon | 17.3 | 90.9 | -73.6 |
| Elgin High School | Sd U-46 | Kane | 5.9 | 79.4 | -73.5 |
| Williamsville High School | Williamsville Cusd 15 | Sangamon | 24.9 | 98.2 | -73.3 |
| La Moille High School | La Moille Cusd 303 | Bureau | 22.2 | 95.5 | -73.3 |
| Marion High School | Marion Cusd 2 | Williamson | 14.3 | 87.6 | -73.3 |
| Sandoval Sr High School | Sandoval Cusd 501 | Marion | 11.1 | 84.2 | -73.1 |
| Johnsburg High School | Johnsburg Cusd 12 | Mchenry | 21.1 | 94.2 | -73.1 |
| Rochester High School | Rochester Cusd 3A | Sangamon | 20.8 | 93.7 | -72.9 |
| Grant Community High School | Grant Chsd 124 | Lake | 20.6 | 93.5 | -72.9 |
| Calhoun High School | Calhoun Cusd 40 | Calhoun | 20 | 92.9 | -72.9 |
| Crystal Lake Central High School | Chsd 155 | Mchenry | 23.8 | 96.5 | -72.7 |
| United Township High School | United Twp Hsd 30 | Rock Island | 19.5 | 92.2 | -72.7 |
| Galesburg High School | Galesburg Cusd 205 | Knox | 15.8 | 88.5 | -72.7 |
| Olympia High School | Olympia Cusd 16 | Mclean | 14.5 | 87.2 | -72.7 |
| West Prairie High School | West Prairie Cusd 103 | Mcdonough | 23.1 | 95.7 | -72.6 |
| Moline Sr High School | Moline-Coal Valley Cusd 40 | Rock Island | 19.6 | 92.2 | -72.6 |
| Juarez Community Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 11.9 | 84.4 | -72.5 |
Top 100 Illinois schools graduation fraud index
| Illinois school | School district | County | Annual exam pass rate (%) | Graduation rate (%) | Graduation fraud index |
| Orion High School | Orion Cusd 223 | Henry | 47.8 | 0 | 47.8 |
| Chicago Virtual Charter School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 30.5 | 2.3 | 28.2 |
| Woodland High School | Woodland Cusd 5 | Livingston | 20.4 | 2.3 | 18.1 |
| Warsaw Senior High School | Warsaw Cusd 316 | Hancock | 25.5 | 13.3 | 12.2 |
| Northside College Preparatory High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 100 | 96.1 | 3.9 |
| Young Magnet High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 90.8 | 96.4 | -5.6 |
| Payton College Preparatory High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 91 | 97.5 | -6.5 |
| Mount Pulaski High School | Mt Pulaski Cusd 23 | Logan | 77.2 | 86.8 | -9.6 |
| Mount Carmel High School | Wabash Cusd 348 | Wabash | 64.3 | 75.2 | -10.9 |
| Lane Technical High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 81.6 | 93.7 | -12.1 |
| Lexington High School | Lexington Cusd 7 | Mclean | 76.6 | 90.6 | -14 |
| Frankfort Community High School | Frankfort Cusd 168 | Franklin | 50.4 | 71.4 | -21 |
| Chicago Excel Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 0 | 23.5 | -23.5 |
| Richwoods High School | Peoria Sd 150 | Peoria | 56.2 | 80.5 | -24.3 |
| Vernon Hills High School | Chsd 128 | Lake | 69.7 | 94.9 | -25.2 |
| Central Community High School | Central Chsd 71 | Clinton | 64.6 | 89.9 | -25.3 |
| Lincoln Community High School | Lincoln Chsd 404 | Logan | 51.8 | 77.2 | -25.4 |
| Somonauk High School | Somonauk Cusd 432 | Dekalb | 60.3 | 86.3 | -26 |
| Galena High School | Galena Usd 120 | Jodaviess | 68.2 | 94.3 | -26.1 |
| Donovan Community Unit School District 3 | Donovan Cusd 3 | Iroquois | 56.5 | 82.8 | -26.3 |
| Jones Prep High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 72.5 | 99.3 | -26.8 |
| Naperville Central High School | Naperville Cusd 203 | Dupage | 69.5 | 96.9 | -27.4 |
| Adlai E Stevenson High School | Adlai E Stevenson Hsd 125 | Lake | 67 | 94.5 | -27.5 |
| Wesclin Sr High School | Wesclin Cusd 3 | Clinton | 63.6 | 91.3 | -27.7 |
| Edwards County High School | Edwards County Cusd 1 | Edwards | 55.9 | 83.6 | -27.7 |
| Springfield Learning Academy | Springfield Sd 186 | Sangamon | 0 | 27.8 | -27.8 |
| Hutsonville High School | Hutsonville Cusd 1 | Crawford | 57.5 | 85.7 | -28.2 |
| Cambridge Lakes Charter School | Cusd 300 | Kane | 46.5 | 75 | -28.5 |
| Columbia High School | Columbia Cusd 4 | Monroe | 61.9 | 91.2 | -29.3 |
| Leroy High School | Leroy Cusd 2 | Mclean | 60.9 | 90.6 | -29.7 |
| Bement High School | Bement Cusd 5 | Piatt | 51.8 | 81.5 | -29.7 |
| Durand High School | Durand Cusd 322 | Winnebago | 58.2 | 88.1 | -29.9 |
| Proviso Math and Science Academy | Proviso Twp Hsd 209 | Cook | 70.1 | 100 | -29.9 |
| Naperville North High School | Naperville Cusd 203 | Dupage | 67.1 | 98 | -30.9 |
| Alden-Hebron High School | Alden Hebron Sd 19 | Mchenry | 57.9 | 90 | -32.1 |
| Zeigler-Royalton High School | Zeigler-Royalton Cusd 188 | Franklin | 32.7 | 64.9 | -32.2 |
| Carlinville High School | Carlinville Cusd 1 | Macoupin | 51.7 | 84.2 | -32.5 |
| Geneva Community High School | Geneva Cusd 304 | Kane | 65 | 97.8 | -32.8 |
| Morton High School | Morton Cusd 709 | Tazewell | 59.4 | 92.3 | -32.9 |
| Hinckley-Big Rock High School | Hinckley Big Rock Cusd 429 | Dekalb | 49.1 | 82.5 | -33.4 |
| Hancock College Preparatory High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 56.9 | 90.9 | -34 |
| Kenwood Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 49.5 | 83.8 | -34.3 |
| Cisne High School | North Wayne Cusd 200 | Wayne | 50 | 84.4 | -34.4 |
| Hirsch Metropolitan High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 1 | 35.7 | -34.7 |
| Highland High School | Highland Cusd 5 | Madison | 51.7 | 86.6 | -34.9 |
| Okawville Jr/Sr High School | West Washington Co Cud 10 | Washington | 45.1 | 80 | -34.9 |
| Westinghouse High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 59.4 | 94.6 | -35.2 |
| Fairfield Community High School District 225 | Fairfield Comm H S Dist 225 | Wayne | 39.7 | 75 | -35.3 |
| Brownstown High School | Brownstown Cusd 201 | Fayette | 31.4 | 66.7 | -35.3 |
| Libertyville High School | Chsd 128 | Lake | 60 | 95.6 | -35.6 |
| Carrollton High School | Carrollton Cusd 1 | Greene | 56.6 | 92.2 | -35.6 |
| Lemont Township High School | Lemont Twp Hsd 210 | Cook | 59.4 | 96 | -36.6 |
| Brooks College Prep | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 59 | 95.8 | -36.8 |
| Wheaton North High School | Cusd 200 | Dupage | 55.6 | 92.7 | -37.1 |
| Neuqua Valley High School | Indian Prairie Cusd 204 | Dupage | 59.8 | 97 | -37.2 |
| Newton Community High School | Jasper County Cud 1 | Jasper | 55.1 | 93.1 | -38 |
| Southwestern High School | Southwestern Cusd 9 | Macoupin | 52.2 | 90.6 | -38.4 |
| Midland High School | Midland Cusd 7 | Marshall | 43.4 | 81.8 | -38.4 |
| Griggsville-Perry High School | Griggsville-Perry Cusd 4 | Pike | 40 | 78.9 | -38.9 |
| Lincolnwood High School | Panhandle Cusd 2 | Montgomery | 47 | 86.1 | -39.1 |
| Belleville High School-East | Belleville Twp Hsd 201 | St. Clair | 49.4 | 88.5 | -39.1 |
| Manley Career Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 0.8 | 40.1 | -39.3 |
| Amos Alonzo Stagg High School | Cons Hsd 230 | Cook | 51.2 | 90.7 | -39.5 |
| Robeson High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 1.4 | 41 | -39.6 |
| Orr Academy High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 2.2 | 42 | -39.8 |
| Metea Valley High School | Indian Prairie Cusd 204 | Dupage | 55.7 | 95.6 | -39.9 |
| O Fallon High School | O Fallon Twp Hsd 203 | St. Clair | 50.5 | 90.5 | -40 |
| South Fork Jr Sr High School | South Fork Sd 14 | Christian | 13.3 | 53.3 | -40 |
| Massac County High School | Massac Ud 1 | Massac | 39.5 | 79.8 | -40.3 |
| Dieterich Jr/Sr High School | Dieterich Cusd 30 | Effingham | 48.8 | 89.2 | -40.4 |
| Oblong High School | Oblong Cusd 4 | Crawford | 39.1 | 79.6 | -40.5 |
| Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School | Paxton-Buckley-Loda Cud 10 | Ford | 38.5 | 79.1 | -40.6 |
| Coulterville High School | Coulterville Usd 1 | Randolph | 59.1 | 100 | -40.9 |
| Streator Township High School | Streator Twp Hsd 40 | Lasalle | 34.4 | 75.3 | -40.9 |
| Christopher High | Christopher Usd 99 | Franklin | 35.1 | 76.1 | -41 |
| Hononegah High School | Hononegah Chd 207 | Winnebago | 50.2 | 91.2 | -41 |
| Cumberland High School | Cumberland Cusd 77 | Cumberland | 49.5 | 90.8 | -41.3 |
| Hinsdale Central High School | Hinsdale Twp Hsd 86 | Dupage | 53.1 | 94.6 | -41.5 |
| Alwood  Middle/High School | Alwood Cusd 225 | Henry | 49.1 | 90.6 | -41.5 |
| Stillman Valley High School | Meridian Cusd 223 | Ogle | 51.7 | 93.2 | -41.5 |
| Prairie Central High School | Prairie Central Cusd 8 | Livingston | 48.7 | 90.2 | -41.5 |
| Monmouth-Roseville High School | Monmouth-Roseville Cusd 238 | Warren | 36.5 | 78.1 | -41.6 |
| River Ridge High School | River Ridge Cusd 210 | Jodaviess | 53.5 | 95.3 | -41.8 |
| Eureka High School | Eureka Cud 140 | Woodford | 49.8 | 91.7 | -41.9 |
| Central High School | Central Cusd 4 | Iroquois | 45.8 | 87.7 | -41.9 |
| Hope Community Academy | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 6 | 48.1 | -42.1 |
| Central A & M High School | Central A &Amp; M Cud 21 | Shelby | 47.5 | 89.7 | -42.2 |
| Belleville High School-West | Belleville Twp Hsd 201 | St. Clair | 47 | 89.6 | -42.6 |
| Roanoke-Benson High School | Roanoke Benson Cusd 60 | Woodford | 46.3 | 88.9 | -42.6 |
| Earlville Jr/Sr High School | Earlville Cusd 9 | Lasalle | 29.7 | 72.5 | -42.8 |
| Leland High School | Leland Cusd 1 | Lasalle | 52.9 | 96 | -43.1 |
| Mahomet-Seymour High School | Mahomet-Seymour Cusd 3 | Champaign | 51.4 | 94.5 | -43.1 |
| Pecatonica High School | Pecatonica Cusd 321 | Winnebago | 42.3 | 85.7 | -43.4 |
| Amundsen High School | City Of Chicago Sd 299 | Cook | 36 | 79.4 | -43.4 |
| Pekin Community High School | Pekin Csd 303 | Tazewell | 35.5 | 79 | -43.5 |
| Murphysboro High School | Murphysboro Cusd 186 | Jackson | 35.4 | 79 | -43.6 |
| Gillespie High School | Gillespie Cusd 7 | Macoupin | 28.1 | 72.1 | -44 |
| Charleston High School | Charleston Cusd 1 | Coles | 38.4 | 82.6 | -44.2 |
| Dee-Mack High School | Deer Creek-Mackinaw Cusd 701 | Tazewell | 47.3 | 91.5 | -44.2 |
| Princeton High School | Princeton Hsd 500 | Bureau | 38.1 | 82.4 | -44.3 |
Source: Illinois State Board of Education
