Schools full of high fliers

The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school district is one of two districts now in Ford County, the other being Paxton Buckley-Loda. More about GCMS:

– The district began in 1993-94 after voters overwhelmingly approved a merger between Gibson City and Melvin-Sibley districts. The Gibson City district had previously consolidated with Elliott and Foosland.

– The campus consists of an elementary, middle school and high school. Total enrollment is 1,083, and per-pupil spending is $7,185 which is supported with a tax rate of nearly $5.30 per $100 EAV, according to Superintendent Chuck Aubry.

– GCMS Middle School received state recognition in 2007 being named an "Illinois Horizon School: Schools to Watch."

– High school students took the top award in the national Project Ignition championship in 2006.

– The Chicago Sun-Times recently named GCMS High one of the top 50 high schools in Illinois for its excellent test results on the Prairie State Achievement Examinations.

– The high school's concert band and choral groups have taken home state sweepstakes awards. Students in the fine arts curriculum each year put on ambitious variety shows, Broadway musicals, art exhibits and concerts. Music instruction begins in grade school.

– This year, the Falcons wrestling team made its first appearance at state finals, taking fourth place in the Class A Dual Team state tournament.

– Two GCMS students were elected state FFA officers in 1999 and 2004.