Bloomington High School Launches Raider Academy Program
The program utilizes a state grant to offer smaller classes and credit recovery options to students in District 87.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Bloomington High School launched the Raider Academy during the 2025-26 school year to support students who struggle in larger, traditional classrooms. Supported by a $125,078 annual grant, the program provides credit recovery and smaller class sizes.
Why it matters
The academy aims to boost local completion numbers after District 87 reported a 76.5% graduation rate last year. By providing alternative learning pathways, officials hope to align local performance closer to the statewide 89% average.
District 87 received an annual grant of $125,078 from the Illinois State Board of Education to fund the program. Current projections suggest that 89% of students in the district are on track to graduate for the current school year.
The players
Bloomington High School
This is the educational institution where the Raider Academy is housed and operated.
District 87
This is the local school district responsible for administering public education and implementing the new academy program.
Illinois State Board of Education
This state agency oversees public education and provided the grant funding for the district's new initiative.
The details
Raider Academy allows students to complete required coursework, such as world history, through online or asynchronous modules that permit them to work at their own pace. The program is designed specifically for students who need credit recovery, though it excludes those with major behavioral issues.
Timeline
The Raider Academy began its development during the 2025-26 school year.
Last year, District 87 recorded a graduation rate of 76.5%.
At the start of the school year, the district projected an 89% graduation track.
Culture Shift
The implementation of the Raider Academy reflects a broader movement in secondary education to move away from one-size-fits-all classrooms toward personalized credit recovery models. This transition acknowledges that diverse student populations require flexible pacing to keep pace with the Illinois State Board of Education statewide graduation rate.
Students and families in District 87 now have access to smaller classroom environments and self-paced course completion options for graduation requirements. The program aims to streamline the path to a diploma by offering a structured alternative for those struggling with traditional coursework.
The takeaway
The Raider Academy serves as a model for using targeted funding to address specific student performance gaps. By focusing on individualized credit recovery, the district seeks to ensure more students meet essential academic requirements.
Further reading
For more information on local programs, visit the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wglt.
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