WESTMONT – Community Unit School District 201 officials attest a commitment to all students is helping close the educational gap and improving the graduation rate and test scores.

Principal Jack Baldermann recently announced that not only is Westmont High School the most improved high school in 2014 in Illinois, but one of the most improved and top performing high schools in the country for the past school year.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work put in by all the students, parents, teachers and administrators,” Baldermann said during a CUSD 201 board meeting. “I don’t know if there is anything more meaningful than being part of a team that accomplishes something that’s powerful and positive for others – and that’s what we’ve all done together.”

The high school officially reported a 99 percent graduation rate, the highest in school history, according to Baldermann, placing Westmont high in the top 1 percent in the country. During 2013-14 school year, there were no dropouts in the senior class and the one student who did not graduate is continuing his education, Baldermann said.

“That high of a graduation rate is unheard of anywhere, especially a Title 1 school,” he said. “I attribute that to not only the support of board and the community, but the true commitment among all our professionals that every student is sacred.”

In addition to the increased graduation rate, Baldermann revealed Westmont High School reported the most improved advanced placement program in the state.

The number of passed AP exams from Westmont High School students increased from 29 in 2013 to 141 in 2014, a 386 percent increase.

Additionally, the number of AP scholars rose from three to 16 in one year’s time, a staggering shift considering the school previously never had more than five AP scholars in a given year.

Baldermann said that while taking and passing advanced placement tests is not imperative precursor to collegiate success, it is important to challenge students and instill a sense of belief.

“We want our students to believe that they can accomplish anything,” he said. “Even if they struggle and don’t pass the national exam, they will have been exposed to a level of rigor that will prepare them for success at the collegiate level.”

Last school year, Westmont High School also posted the lowest out-of-school suspension rate, according to Baldermann.

Recently, the high school and the other district buildings introduced kindergarten through 12th-grade summer school, which paid dividends on the high school level, Baldermann said.

“So how did this happen? Because we adopted a whatever it takes philosophy,” Baldermann said. “We focused on learning for all, we built SMART goals, and we received the necessary resources from the district and the community, and I think we were tenacious about implementing everything.”