2026 Summer Experience Early Bird Registration Now Open
Early Bird Registration for District 214’s 2026 Summer Experience Program opened Monday, March 16 at 10 a.m. for current students. Registration for incoming ninth graders will begin Monday, March 30 at 10 a.m., with Early Bird Registration running through April 14. Families can register HERE.
The Summer Experience Program offers a variety of academic courses and enrichment opportunities, with classes held at Prospect High School, the Extended School Year program offered at the Specialized Schools, and additional programming available through the Talent Development Program. Sessions will run June 8–25 and July 6–23.
April 14 Event Explores Housing and Economic Inequality
A live presentation with author Brian Goldstone, Ph.D., will take place Tuesday, April 14 from 7–8:30 p.m. at Evanston Township High School. The discussion will focus on There Is No Place for Us, examining the realities of working families facing housing instability in America. Open to ages 12 and up. No registration required. Book giveaway available while supplies last.
Click HERE for more information.
Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival 2026
John Hersey High School will host the 25th Annual Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival on Saturday, April 11, beginning at 10 a.m. The event will feature middle and high school bands from across the region, along with a guest collegiate ensemble, showcasing a full day of live music and performance.
You can read more information HERE.
“Born to Flourish” Virtual Event
District 214 community members are invited to attend a virtual webinar, Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Path to Thriving, on Wednesday, April 8 from 12–1 p.m. via Zoom.
The event will feature Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., and Cortland Dahl, Ph.D., who will share research-based strategies to reduce stress, build connection and improve well-being. Jacqueline Moreno will join the conversation.
The event is open to ages 12 and up and will be recorded. Attendees will also have a chance to receive a free copy of the book. Register HERE!
Registration for District 214 Summer Camps Opens April 1
Registration for District 214’s Summer Athletic Camps will open April 1, 2026. The camps are open to all District 214 students as well as younger students who live within the district and provide opportunities to stay active while developing athletic skills.
Camp details will be available on each school’s athletic website by mid-March. Click HERE to register!
District 214 to Host 2026 College Fair
District 214 will host its annual College Fair on Tuesday, April 7 from 6–8 p.m. at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights. The event brings together colleges and universities from across the country and around the world to share information about admissions, academic programs, scholarships, financial aid and campus life.
A Junior Financial Aid Night will be held prior to the fair from 5–6 p.m., with separate presentations offered in English and Spanish.
More information about the event can be found HERE.
Public Hearing Scheduled on Driver Education Waiver
District 214 will hold a public hearing on March 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Forest View Educational Center regarding a proposed waiver to the Illinois School Code related to Driver Education. The waiver would allow 18 hours of simulator-based practice driving to supplement up to 3 hours of instruction in a dual-controlled car. Community members are invited to attend and provide public comment.
Click HERE to view the Notice of Public Hearing.
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