41st Annual Jazz in the Meadows Set for February 28
The 41st Annual Jazz in the Meadows Festival returns on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Rolling Meadows High School, bringing a full day of outstanding live music from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The long-standing tradition will feature performances from 100 ensembles representing 60 schools, showcasing exceptional student musicians from across the region.
Festival highlights include a Noon Concert by the Chris Madsen Quartet and a Grand Finale Concert from 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. The evening will also include a special guest artist performance by the NIU Jazz Orchestra with Bryan Carter.
Community members are invited to attend and celebrate 41 years of jazz excellence. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. More information is available at https://www.rmhsmusicboosters.com/
Robot Rumble 2026 Coming to Elk Grove High School
District 214 will host Robot Rumble 2026 at Elk Grove High School, welcoming student teams and community members for an exciting showcase of robotics innovation and competition. The event will take place at Elk Grove High School, 500 W. Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village.
Robot Rumble will be held over two days:
Friday, February 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Students and advisors only)
Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Open to the public)
Robot Rumble 2026 promises to highlight the creativity, collaboration and technical skills of District 214 students as they put their robotics knowledge into action. Community members are encouraged to attend Saturday’s public session to support student innovation and celebrate STEM learning in action.
Illinois 5Essentials Survey: Your Voice Matters!
Now through March 10, we invite parents, guardians and students to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is crucial in shaping the success of our school by gathering feedback on leadership, teaching collaboration, family involvement, school support, and instructional goals.
By completing the survey, you are helping us better understand the environment at D214 and provide feedback that will guide improvements. It's anonymous and easy to complete.
Click HERE to take the survey: Students, Parents/Guardians
NWPA High School Educator Career Fair Coming March 7
Educators and those exploring careers in education are invited to attend the NWPA High School Educator Career Fair on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Forest View Educational Center Field House in Arlington Heights. The event offers an opportunity to connect with hiring school districts, explore open teaching and student services positions, and learn about career opportunities across all content areas all in one morning.
Click HERE for more information and to register.
District 214 Artists and Writers Invited to Enter Arts Unlimited Contest
Submissions are now being accepted for the Daily Herald and District 214 Arts Unlimited Art and Writing Contest. The contest invites students to submit original artwork, poetry or prose in any genre, style or theme for a chance to be featured in the Daily Herald. Entries will be accepted through February 13 and are open to residents of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling.
All submissions must be sent electronically to herald.contest@d214.org, and winners will be notified by email by March 17. For full contest rules and additional information, click here.
District 214 AI series
Join us for an informative series about AI use in D214 as we reimagine what success looks like in an AI-integrated world. Sessions will be held via Zoom and will begin at 7 p.m.
January 29: Overview of AI in D214
February 24: AI for Translation
March 11: AI for Parents
Sessions are for all parents and community members in the D214 area. For more information and to register click here.
Board of Education Meeting Rescheduled
The regularly scheduled District 214 Board of Education meeting originally set for Thursday, March 12, 2026, has been rescheduled. The meeting will now take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Wheeling and Prospect High Schools Selected to Perform at Illinois High School Theatre Festival
Two District 214 schools have earned the honor of performing at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival, a prestigious statewide event that showcases outstanding high school theatre programs.
Wheeling High School was selected to present Ride the Cyclone with performances scheduled for Friday, January 9, and Saturday, January 10, at the Bloomington Performing Arts Center. The production highlights the talents of Wheeling’s student performers and production team.
Prospect High School will also be represented at the festival with its production of Romeo and Juliet: Fast, Then Furious, which will be performed twice on Friday, January 9.
The Illinois High School Theatre Festival brings together students and educators from across the state for performances, workshops, and celebrations of excellence in theatre education. District 214 congratulates the students and staff from Wheeling and Prospect High Schools on this outstanding achievement.
New Musical Instruments to Support Student Musicians
District 214 is investing in new musical instruments to support student participation across its music programs.
The new instruments will replace items that are no longer repairable or have reached the end of their useful lifespan, ensuring students have access to reliable, high-quality equipment for learning and performance. The purchases are funded through the FY26 Instructional Materials and Media Purchases (IMMP) budget.
The instruments will be purchased from Sweetwater Sound, Cassandra Strings, and Music & Arts following a competitive bidding process.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities Available for D214 Students
District 214 students can take the next step in their future by applying for internships and apprenticeships that provide hands-on, real-world experience connected to their coursework and career interests.
Applications are currently open for several opportunities. Apprenticeships are available for current juniors and provide practical experience during their senior year, with applications due by December 31, 2025. Summer internships are open to current sophomores and juniors who will be 16 or older by June 1, 2026, with applications due by February 28, 2026. Students can apply for both opportunities through SchooLinks.
2026 Summer Experience Program Offers Courses and Enrichment Opportunities
District 214’s 2026 Summer Experience Program will provide students with a variety of courses and enrichment opportunities. Courses will be held at Prospect High School, with the Extended School Year program offered at the Specialized Schools, and additional programs available through the Talent Development Program.
The program will run in two sessions, June 8 to 25 and July 6 to 23, and will include both in-person and online instruction.
Academic course fees for 2026 will be $228 per session, up from $211, while transportation fees will remain $84 per session. Students enrolled in select programs or with approved fee waivers will not be charged.
District 214 Board of Education Considers On-Site Solar Energy Project
High School District 214 is exploring a new chapter in sustainability and resource management, as the Board of Education considers the potential installation of on-site solar panels at district facilities. The initiative aligns directly with Goal 3 of the district’s five-year strategic plan—maximizing the impact of district resources—and reflects a forward-looking approach to both fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.
The district has partnered with Nania Energy Advisors, its long-standing energy advisor firm, to evaluate the feasibility of installing solar energy systems across various schools. With energy costs representing a significant portion of annual operating expenses, solar solutions offer a promising way to capture savings while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Beyond lowering utility bills, the project would allow the district to benefit from federal financial incentives currently available, positioning District 214 to secure long-term economic advantages before those opportunities expire.
Administrators are recommending a phased approach, beginning with Rolling Meadows High School as the site for a Phase I pilot project. The Board’s consideration of solar energy represents more than just a facilities decision—it is an investment in the district’s future, one that prioritizes financial responsibility while modeling forward-thinking practices for students and the broader community.
District 214 to Host Graduations at NOW Arena
High School District 214 will host its graduation ceremonies at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates beginning in 2026.
This decision reflects the district’s commitment to providing a high-quality, family-friendly graduation experience. The NOW Arena offers numerous advantages, including seating for up to 8,000 guests, 3,200 free on-site parking spaces, full ADA accessibility, and professional coordination of logistics such as graduate lineups, security, and family reunification areas.
2026
Sunday (5/24/2026)
Elk Grove: 10 a.m.
Prospect: 2 p.m.
Rolling Meadows: 6 p.m.
Tuesday (5/26/2026)
Wheeling: 7 p.m.
Wednesday (5/27/2026)
Hersey: 7 p.m.
Thursday (5/28/2026)
Buffalo Grove: 7 p.m.
2027
Friday (5/14/2027): Elk Grove
Saturday (5/15/2027): Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling
Wednesday (5/19/2027): Prospect