Indian Prairie School District 204 is ranked the 10th-best school district in Illinois, and Metea is ranked the 14th-best high school in the state.

Every year, Niche, a company that specializes in connecting schools with students, ranks schools and districts nationwide based on reviews, ratings, test scores, and more. This year, IPSD 204 ranked as the 10th best district in Illinois and 29th best in the United States.

The district’s hard work is what allowed IPSD to stand out in the rankings.

“[The district] put in resources, we put in interventions and curriculum in place with a hard-working staff that will create that opportunity for our students to do so well.” Metea Principal Daniel Debruycker said.

Metea was ranked the 14th-best high school in Illinois and 149th-best in the country.

“I think it’s a great reflection when it comes to such a beautiful, unique student body that we have here at Metea,” DeBruycker said. He believes that Metea’s guiding principles of being present, involved, engaged, curious, and not judgmental are important factors that led to the school having such a high ranking.

“I think, at Metea, our academics and our student drive is really strong,” junior Ivy Spratt said when asked why she believes Metea received such an honor. 

Overall, Metea earned mostly A’s on Niche’s ranking system, which includes categories like teachers, diversity, and academics. In only two categories, Metea fell short of some sort of A, earning a B+ in sports and a B- in food. Spratt and other students agreed with this ranking.

“I think we can continue to try to put more support, resources, and interventions in place for students that have specific needs,” DeBruycker said. 

He believes that more support could be given to students in special education, English Language learning, and transfer student programs. The number of IPSD students in these groups continues to increase, and DeBruycker feels that as these programs grow, the district and the school must also adapt.

Although high, Metea’s ranking is not the best in the district. Neuqua Valley is ranked tenth in Illinois and 95th in the country. Waubonsie is ranked 24th in the state and 254th in the nation.

Even though Neuqua is ranked higher than Metea, students and staff still feel proud of their school and accomplishments.

“I think we deserve it,” Spratt said. “I feel a lot of school pride.”

“Just pride, pride in the community, pride in the students, the staff, and collaborative work that we put together to create the experience for our students,” Debrucker agreed.  “[I am] just honored to serve in the principalship role here at Metea.”