District 214 Seeks Summer Internship Partners
District 214’s Center for Career Discovery is looking for local businesses and organizations to host student interns this summer.
These hands-on experiences help students explore careers, build skills and prepare for the future—while giving employers a chance to mentor and connect with emerging talent.
Interested partners can contact Kathy Gannon at kathy.gannon@d214.org
for more information.
Bilingual Excellence Awards – April 27
District 214 will host its annual Bilingual Excellence Awards on Monday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at Forest View Educational Center. The event celebrates multilingual students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and strong character, while highlighting the District’s diverse community, with more than 70 languages represented across its schools.
Check out this year’s award recipients!
D214 Spring Art Show
District 214 will host its annual Spring Art Show on Saturday, April 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Forest View Educational Center. The event celebrates student creativity across the District, featuring an impressive collection of drawings, paintings, sculpture, animation and mixed media works that highlight the talent and dedication of young artists from all six high schools.
The exhibition will also include the announcement of Time Arts Show winners, recognizing excellence in video, animation and time-based media, along with the celebration of senior scholarship recipients.
More information HERE.
Wheeling HS Baseball Field Earns National Recognition
Wheeling High School continues to earn national recognition for excellence, as its Varsity Baseball Field has been named a Pioneer Athletics Field of Excellence Winner for the 11th consecutive year. This honor highlights the exceptional work of grounds crew members Kurt Reynolds and Scott Kaage, whose dedication ensures a high-quality field for students and the community. Congratulations on this outstanding and well-deserved achievement.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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