Offering an alternative to onsite dual credit enables students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, develop essential skills, stay engaged and motivated, experience personal growth, and prepare for higher education and career exploration. Through District 214's Capstone and Academy programs, students can learn beyond the traditional classroom environment while earning early college courses within a pathway experience.

While some programs require an application, others do not.

The following programs DO require an application.

Business Middle College 
Students attend class at National Louis University’s Wheeling campus during their senior year of high school while simultaneously completing freshman year of a college Business Administration degree. Students will spend the majority of the day on National Louis University’s campus, returning to their school for the final block of the day.

Must be a Junior to apply for this Senior-year experience. While transportation is provided, students also have the option to drive themselves.

Aviation Academy
Located at the Chicago Executive Airport, students enroll in a Federal Aviation Administration-approved course through Lewis University. They will study aviation topics such as aerodynamics, airport regulations, aircraft instruments, and weather, while also exploring careers in the aviation industry. Students will spend the last two blocks of every B day at the Chicago Executive Airport.

Must be a Junior to apply for this Senior-year experience. While transportation is provided, students also have the option to drive themselves.

Medical Academy
Seniors explore two and four-year careers in medicine with both an academic and experiential experience at Harper College geared towards pre-medicine college coursework. Students will take Anatomy (semester 1) and Physiology (semester 2) at Harper College and may also be enrolled in District 214's Medical Academy class based on interest.

Must be a Junior to apply for this Senior-year experience. While transportation is provided, students also have the option to drive themselves.

Cosmetology
This program at the Lake County Tech Campus allows students to become a licensed cosmetologist. Students will learn how to perform shampoos, make-overs, facials, hair-styling, manicuring, sculptured nails, permanent waving, hair coloring, and cutting. Students will spend the majority of the day on campus, returning to their school for the final block of the day.

To earn the certification, Juniors must commit to a two-year program that may include Saturdays and one or two additional summer sessions. Seniors are also eligible to apply, but they will need to complete the second year of the certification after graduation at their own expense.

Must be a Sophomore or Junior to apply for this Junior or Senior-year experience. While transportation is provided, students also have the option to drive themselves.

Practical Architecture & Construction (PAC)
While onsite at an active construction zone, students assist with renovating and repairing a house alongside contractors and D214 instructors with the goal of reselling it. Students earn dual credit through Triton College and will spend two blocks of their schedule every other day at the site. 

Must be a Sophomore or Junior to apply for this Junior or Senior-year experience. Students are required to take district transportation.

Check out our current construction site here!

Multimedia Academy
Students gain hands-on experience writing, podcasting, and broadcasting in addition to an embedded 30 hour internship. Students will take a two-course sequence, including Multimedia Academy and College Introduction to Mass Communication, which is dual credit through Eastern Illinois University. This schedule consists of one block every day devoted to the program.

Must be a Junior to apply for this Senior-year experience. While transportation is provided if needed, students also have the option to drive themselves.

Students applying for a Capstone course for the 2025-2026 school year must fill out an application*, which opens November 1st and closes on January 31st.

For questions, please contact teachingandlearning@d214.org.

The following programs DO NOT require an application:

Education Academy
Education Academy is a two-credit college-level education course sequence through Eastern Illinois University and National Louis University.  During class time, students participate in a student teaching program where they spend some of their class time each week learning and performing curriculum-based activities in classrooms at local schools. 

Must be a Junior to participate in this Senior-year experience. Many placements are at schools within walking distance of the high school. Transportation is provided if needed, and students also have the option to drive themselves.

*Note: This is not an application-based program; students must indicate their intention to participate during the course selection process their junior year, and their counselor will enroll them in the courses their senior year.

For questions, please contact teachingandlearning@d214.org.