Specialized Schools
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Specialized Schools prepare students for working life
Under the broader umbrella of District 214’s Specialized Schools, life’s goal is to equip these students to transition into working life at age 22. “Our job is to assess where students’ skills and interests are, to develop goals and to give them experiences that will allow them to attain postsecondary employment,” explains Valerie Norris, Specialized Schools principal.
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District 214 celebrates AAPI Heritage Month
Nearly 200 students, staff and AAPI business partners from across multiple school districts gathered together for an evening of cultural food tasting, activities and performances. Members of District 214, 211 and 207 cultural clubs united to bring awareness and understanding on what it means to be AAPI.
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High Mileage Vehicle teams take designs to the finish line
They started by brainstorming designs, then created models with popsicle sticks and straws—before fabricating and testing a one-person vehicle designed not only with speed, but also fuel efficiency in mind. That was the months-long process that brought the District 214 High Mileage Vehicle student teams to their final challenge: taking their vehicles around the track and comparing them to the work of other Midwestern high school and college teams.
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Student brews up successful app for Special Education coffee carts
When John Hersey High School teacher Megan Brownley pitched the idea of an app to help student staffers at the school’s coffee cart, Rachel Rafik stepped up to the challenge. Each year, in a twist on the “Shark Tank” format, teachers like Brownley pitch their suggestions for useful apps to students in Hersey’s AP Computer Science Principles class. Students pick projects and then work on the apps for their class and AP evaluations.
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Hersey jazz students perform with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Melissa Aldana
Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana made a special visit to John Hersey High School in late April. She is considered one of the best tenor saxophone players in the world. Hersey jazz students had the chance to work with Aldana and learned about writing and performing music.
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African American Teen Summit 2023
The 8th Annual D214 African American Teen Summit was held at Forest View Educational Center on April 21. The theme was Phenomenally Black with a focus on self love, self esteem and self care.
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Culinary students get a taste of restaurant business
Customers at Rep’s Place in Rolling Meadows have the opportunity to take their taste buds to Europe—courtesy of Rolling Meadows High School culinary arts students. A dozen RMHS students researched and created the Tapas of Europe special menu that’s being featured at Rep’s Place through the end of May. The menu includes 10 appetizers and shareable plates representing different European cuisines.
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Coding for a cause: Hersey High School hosts coding marathon to support veterans’ mental health
It’s called a hackathon, but Help-a-thon is more like it. By any name, though, the HSHacks Hackathon hosted by John Hersey High School on April 15 and highlighted in the video here was a resounding success. More than 80 students from 28 Chicago-area schools participated in the 12-hour event, which featured learning workshops and opportunities for students to give practical application to their coding and programming skills.
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D214 Healthcare Education: A world of opportunity
Few fields offer greater employment opportunity than healthcare, and District 214 prepares students for many options in this arena. The most direct avenue to employment is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. District 214 offers juniors and seniors 16 or older the opportunity to become a CNA while still in high school.
Discover Your Future.
D214 Facts
93%Class of 2019 College Attendance
40,000Early College Credits earned in 2018-19
11,914Number of Students 2019-2020
1,100Class of 2019 composite SAT score (out of 1600)
