District 214 launches Phase 3 community surveys for facilities planning
High School District 214 is launching a phone survey and online feedback form this week as the district enters Phase 3 of its community engagement process around long-term facilities planning. During the first two phases of this community-driven process, thousands of residents participated through surveys, community meetings and direct feedback. Community members expressed strong support for District 214’s educational mission, while also raising concerns about the overall scale and cost of the initial concepts.
District 214 listened to that feedback and adjusted its approach.
Click HERE for information about Phase 3 and the online feedback form.
Public Hearing Scheduled on Driver Education Waiver
District 214 will hold a public hearing on May 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the Forest View Educational Center (2121 South Goebbert Rd., Arlington Heights, IL, 60005) 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 High School Educators Earn Illinois Those Who Excel Awards
Two Wheeling High School educators have been recognized among the state’s best, earning 2026 Illinois Those Who Excel Awards.
John Byrne and Rebecca Castro were honored for their outstanding contributions to education and their lasting impact on students. The Those Who Excel Awards, presented annually by the Illinois State Board of Education, recognize educators who demonstrate excellence, leadership and a strong commitment to student success.
Through their dedication in the classroom and beyond, Byrne and Castro exemplify the high-quality teaching and support that define District 214. Their work continues to inspire students and colleagues alike, helping create meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for the future.
District 214 congratulates both educators on this well-deserved recognition.
District 214 App Showcase Highlights Student Innovation and Creativity
Innovation and creativity will take center stage at the District 214 App Showcase on Monday, May 18, at John Hersey High School. The event will feature nearly 90 original mobile and web applications developed by students from nine participating schools.
Throughout the school year, students have worked to design and build apps that reflect their interests and solve real-world problems. Projects range from productivity tools and educational resources to interactive games and tech-driven services, showcasing a wide range of skills in coding, design thinking and user experience.
The showcase will begin with a student-only presentation at 11 a.m., followed by a public exhibition from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Community members are invited to attend and explore the student-created apps while engaging with the developers behind them.
At the conclusion of the event, top teams will be recognized for their work. Selected students will have the opportunity to present their apps at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue, further highlighting the impact of student innovation across District 214.
Click HERE for more information.
District 214 Bands Selected for Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival
Four ensembles from High School District 214 have been selected to perform at the prestigious Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, taking place May 8–9 at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.
Hosted by the University of Illinois Bands, the SuperState Festival is one of the state’s highest honors for middle and high school band programs. Ensembles are selected through a competitive recorded audition process, evaluated by panels of nationally recognized conductors and educators.
Representing District 214 on Saturday, May 9 are:
Wheeling High School Wind Symphony (10:00 a.m.)
John Hersey High School Symphonic Band (2:30 p.m.)
Rolling Meadows High School Symphonic Band (3:00 p.m.)
John Hersey High School Wind Ensemble (4:45 p.m.)
John Hersey High School’s selection is particularly notable, as both its Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band were chosen to perform—marking the first time two ensembles from the same Class 2A school have been selected for the festival.
The SuperState Concert Band Festival brings together thousands of students, educators and music supporters from across Illinois to celebrate excellence in music performance. District 214 is proud to have multiple schools represented among the state’s top ensembles.
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.
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!
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