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Manhattan D114 Schools Earn ‘Exemplary’ Status in State Report Card

November 20, 2025/
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Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | November 12, 2025

Article Summary:
Manhattan School District 114 received outstanding results on the 2025 Illinois School Report Card, with three of its four schools earning an “Exemplary” designation, placing them in the top 10% of all schools in the state.

Illinois School Report Card Key Points:

  • Wilson Creek Elementary, Anna McDonald Elementary, and Manhattan Intermediate School all received an “Exemplary” summative designation.

  • Manhattan Junior High School earned a “Commendable” designation, the second-highest rating.

  • The designations are based on student performance and growth on state assessments like the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR).

  • Superintendent Dr. Damien Aherne called the results a “testament to the hard work and commitment of our students, parents, and staff.”

MANHATTAN – The majority of schools in Manhattan School District 114 are among the top performers in the state, according to results from the 2025 Illinois School Report Card released on October 30.

At the district’s Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, Superintendent Dr. Damien Aherne announced that Wilson Creek Elementary, Anna McDonald Elementary, and Manhattan Intermediate School all earned an “Exemplary” summative designation. This rating is reserved for schools performing in the top 10% statewide.

Manhattan Junior High School earned a “Commendable” designation, which falls in the higher end of a category that includes 70% of schools in Illinois.

“We are so very proud to share these results,” Dr. Aherne said. “These outstanding designations are a testament to the hard work and commitment of our students, parents, and staff and a supportive school community. We have high expectations and will continue to strive for exceptional growth.”

The state designations are largely based on data from state-mandated tests, including student proficiency and growth in English language arts and math on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). A deeper dive into the report card data is planned for the board’s December meeting.

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