NMSA Staff Spotlight!

"Mrs. Forcadell has been working tirelessly to establish effective and engaging routines around small group instruction. Her dedication to deepening her understanding of the NMSA Way is evident in the positive impact she is making on her students and the classroom environment."

"Mr. Nathan Massa is our Teacher of the Month for NMSA. He has an unwavering commitment to his students' success. Recently, Mr. Massa raised over $12,000 through DonorsChoose to fund much-needed band equipment, supporting the ever-growing number of students in our band program. We are continually impressed by his skills both in the classroom and on the stage—thank you for all you do, Mr. Massa! Semper Fi!"

"Nicole's commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment has made a significant impact on both staff and students here at NMSA. Her genuine passion for advocacy and her consistent efforts to ensure that every student feels valued have not gone unnoticed. Nicole's presence in our school enriches our community, and her hard work deserves to be acknowledged. Oorah!"

"It is with great pleasure that we shine the Staff Spotlight on Mr. John Offner, a true champion of Neal Math and Science Academy. With an unwavering dedication to our school community, Mr. Offner has earned the title of NMSA's biggest fan, rarely missing any sporting events throughout the year, regardless of whether they are held at home or away. Mr. Offner goes above and beyond to motivate our students to reach their full potential, offering encouragement, guidance, and unwavering support every step of the way. Mr. Offner's passion for our school and his commitment to the success and well-being of our students are truly inspiring. We are incredibly fortunate to have him as a valued member of the NMSA community, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his continued dedication and contributions. Oorah!"

North Chicago, IL—Neal Math & Science Academy (NMSA) is proud to announce a significant upgrade to Commendable status according to the 2024 Illinois Report Card released by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Focus on Students Fuels Success

NMSA's strong performance is a testament to our commitment to a rigorous curriculum and the efforts of our students, teachers, and staff. Our gains reflect the successful implementation of several initiatives, including our continued investment in Marzano’s High-Reliability School Model, for which we have earned Level II certification. HRS Level 2 focuses on effective teaching in every classroom and data-driven practices to enhance student engagement and achievement.

Another successful contributor to our ISBE designation is the assertive practice of IAR test preparation. The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) is key in determining a school's designation. NMSA is proud to announce that students have achieved high growth in both reading and math on the IAR test, beating statewide averages for growth in both reading and math beating statewide averages for growth in both reading and math. IAR testing carries significant weight in the outcomes of our ISBE designation.

"We are thrilled to see our students excelling," said Michael Grenda, Principal of NMSA.

"This achievement is a direct result of the dedication of our teachers who create a supportive learning environment and the commitment of our families who partner with us in their child's education."

Continuous Improvement for Every Student

NMSA remains committed to continuous improvement and ensuring every student reaches their full potential. In the upcoming school year, we will focus on constant improvement to meet the ISBE requirements to earn an Exemplary designation. One area of improvement will be chronic absenteeism, which we have shown improvement year-over-year from 47% to 39%.

Another area for improvement will be continuing to collaborate with parents, families, and the community to improve the outcomes of our D187 students, including those of our lowest-performing target groups on the ISBE report card.

Join Us to Learn More

The NMSA community is invited to respond to a ThoughtExchange to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve outcomes for our NMSA students, teachers, and staff. Please feel free to participate at your convenience. Your feedback is anonymous.

ThoughtExchange: https://tejoin.com/scroll/113589037

You can view the Illinois Report Card for NMSA at https://bit.ly/4eaf0Eq.

847-689-6313

Check out our curriculum guides for each content area to better understand what students are learning! CLICK HERE: Curriculum Guides