Rich Township High School District 227 (RTHS) has gained widespread recognition for its outstanding academic progress and community involvement, thanks to its bold reform initiatives led by Dr. Johnnie Thomas, Superintendent, and Attorney Andrea Bonds, Board President. The district’s recent successes are a testament to the strategic changes implemented over the past eight years, transforming RTHS into one of Illinois’ top-performing school districts.
The positive transformation has garnered praise from regional observers, particularly for challenging and overcoming traditional stereotypes that often plague predominantly Black and brown school districts. According to an article in the American Psychological Association Journal, Black students are often subjected to harsher discipline than their white peers, which negatively affects their academic success. This systemic issue motivated Dr. Thomas, President Bonds, Board Member Tiffany Taylor, and the full RTHS Board to introduce an extensive reform plan aimed at addressing the district’s challenges while also emphasizing improved facilities, staffing, curriculum, and community engagement.
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in these past eight years,” said Dr. Johnnie Thomas, RTHS Superintendent. “Across the district, our system delivered significant improvements in student achievement on state assessments. Together with our dedicated teachers, principals, and the RTHS Board of Education, we will continue to provide high-quality instruction that builds on this growth.”
RTHS Board President Andrea Bonds expressed her pride, noting, “As both a parent, a parent advocate, and as a member of the RTHS School Board, I am proud to see the remarkable progress RTHS has made in improving school performance and student achievement. Our collective efforts—parents, educators, Board members, and community members—are creating a new era of excellence in our schools. Together, we are ensuring that more families can confidently send their children to an RTHS school, knowing they are receiving the education and support in which they deserve to thrive within.”
When Dr. Thomas first took the reins, the district was grappling with significant challenges, including declining enrollment and aging facilities. By collaborating closely with the community, staff, parents, and students, the district launched a bold reimagining of its future, resulting in what is now a beacon of academic excellence and innovation.
Rich Township High School District 227 celebrates several key accomplishments this year:
• Enrollment Growth: Projections for the 2024-2025 school year had expected 2,173 students, but enrollment has surged to 2,458, surpassing expectations and reflecting the district’s strengthened reputation.
• Record Academic Performance: The 9th Grade On-Track rate soared from 68.3% in 2022 to an impressive 89% in 2024. Graduation rates have also increased from 80.9% in 2023 to 84.5% in 2024, underscoring the district’s dedication to student success.
• Global Recognition: Achieving IB World School status, RTHS now offers the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), equipping students with skills to excel in a globalized world.
• Expanding Opportunities: RTHS offers enhanced career-focused pathways, dual-credit programs, and expanded Advanced Placement (AP) offerings, providing students with unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth.
In athletics, RTHS has made notable strides:
• The Boys’ Basketball team clinched the 51st Annual Big Dipper Tournament championship for the first time in 21 years.
• The Marching Band earned its third Chicago Classic title and successfully hosted the Raptor Rumble Band Festival.
• Student groups such as Robotics, DECA, and the Business Professionals of America have continued to excel in state and national competitions.
Additionally, the district has transformed its facilities through a $105 million bond issuance, providing state-of-the-art environments for students. These improvements include new STEM spaces, a culinary kitchen, updated athletic facilities, and expanded offerings in horticulture, automotive, construction, and aviation.
Rich Township remains committed to creating equitable opportunities for all students. Initiatives like the College Board Pre-AP program, an Equity Committee, and culturally responsive professional development have furthered inclusivity. The district has also enhanced community engagement through redesigned communication platforms, app-based transportation updates, and partnerships addressing local needs.
Dr. Thomas emphasized the importance of leadership in education, saying, “Some educational institutions create leaders, and some create followers. We are committed to ensuring that Rich Township High School is a district that creates leaders.”
Board Member Tiffany Taylor, a long-time Rich Township resident, expressed her gratitude for her team’s efforts, saying, “I’m just appreciative of our team who embraced the changes that we had put in place. We moved aggressively and urgently around some of our reforms, and these changes were not easy. But collectively we remained focused and steadfast in the execution and have marveled at the eventual success of our district.”
As the district continues to rise, it remains dedicated to equipping students with the tools they need to innovate and thrive in an ever-changing world. Elected leaders across the region have rallied behind the district’s reformed system.
Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin praised the progress, stating, “I am thoroughly impressed by the noteworthy progress at RTHS. Dr. Thomas and the full RTHS Board have committed themselves to a higher standard of excellence that taxpayers can easily recognize and feel extremely proud of. It has been an honor to work diligently with this team of educators as they have created a new paradigm shift in how we view education.”
Cook County Commissioner Dr. Kisha McCaskill also commended the district’s achievements, saying, “I consider it an honor to have RTHS 227 within my district. The impressive statistics are not only a credit to the Superintendent, the faculty, and the Board of Education, but moreover, the full student body. These students have really worked extremely hard to not only academically perform at an elevated level, but to also embrace the improvement plans of the district.”
Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan echoed the sentiments of others, adding, “I cannot say enough good things about a large district of this size, the logistical effort to pull these improvement programs off in a short time. It is great for Rich Township, but it is also great for Cook County to have one of the larger school districts have this kind of improvement.”
