Town: Round Lake

Number of subgroups for which it's held accountable: Four

Success story: After six straight years on school improvement status, the school made its improvement goals for the second consecutive year and removed itself from the danger list.

How it got there: An effort from all sides, from district officials to parents, with particular emphasis on guided reading programs. The guided reading approach features staff working with small groups of students who all read at similar levels. They help navigate the texts.

What it plans for next year: Keep the focus on improvement and rely on regional intervention programs that also have helped turn the tide.

Quote: "We believe that this was a long process. ... It was a concerted effort to really work on school improvement." -- Janet Elenbogen, chief education officer for Round Lake Unit District 116, which includes Raymond Ellis.