Updated Fund Balance Strategy Supports D214’s Growth

The District 214 Board of Education updated its Fund Balance Position Paper to set a new minimum target of 40% of annual operating expenditures, aligning financial strategy with evolving needs. The District aims to balance prudent fiscal management with strategic investments in school facilities and educational excellence. This updated approach is informed by factors such as improved tax collection processes, the impacts of the pandemic, and the District’s $850 million facility improvement plan. The District remains committed to ensuring long-term financial stability while supporting the continued success of its students and staff.

Sign up for Summer Athletics Camps!

The sign-up window for District 214 Summer Athletics Camps is now open! These camps are available to all D214 students and K-8 students who reside within the District’s boundaries. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills or try something new, our summer camps offer a fun and exciting opportunity to stay active and engage in team sports. Click HERE for more information and to register.

Get Ahead This Summer

The D214 Summer Experience offers two 3-week sessions designed to support student learning and success. Whether you're looking to recover credits or get ahead, this is the perfect opportunity to plan for your future.

Course types include:
• Credit Recovery (for students needing to make up a class)
• Transition Programs
• Get Ahead
• Driver Education
• Enrichment Experiences

Registration is open through May 1. The registration fee is waived for academic courses during Early Bird registration, March 12 through April 15.

Apply Now: Over $100,000 in Scholarships Available!

The 2025 scholarship application portal is now open through the District 214 Education Foundation! Over $100,000 in scholarships are available, including opportunities for trades, women in STEM or law, and the Dr. David R. Schuler Redefining Ready! competition.

Don’t miss this chance to fund your future! The deadline to apply is Friday, March 14, 2025. Start your application at www.214foundation.org/scholarships.

School Registration Begins June 2, 2025

To ensure your student is ready for the first day of school on August 13, 2025, please complete the following steps:

• Annual school registration must be completed.

• Current residency must be on file.

• Immunizations must be up-to-date and verified.

Families must finalize the registration process to avoid delays on the first day of school. Click HERE for more information.

Inspire the next generation

Are you looking for a meaningful way to support your community and grow your organization? Mentoring a District 214 student intern offers numerous advantages. Interns bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and creative problem-solving skills to your team. It's also a chance to make a lasting impact, strengthening your brand and shaping the next generation of innovators.

Ready to make a difference? Fill out the mentorship form at links.d214.org/mentor.

Boost your ACT score

District 214 is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide free resources and classes to help students prepare for the ACT, SAT, PSAT/NMSQT and Advanced Placement Exams. They include:

• Online classes with a live teacher

• On-demand videos and lesson plans at your own pace

• Practice tests

• On-demand tutoring 24/7 available in English and Spanish

For more information, head to www.d214.org/assessments.

D214 Summer Experience 2025

Each year during the summer, District 214 provides current students, incoming students and youth within the community an array of educational opportunities, enrichment experiences and athletic programs. www.d214.org/SummerExperience is your one place for all things summer. Families can get information and access the registration portals for:

• Summer Coursework
• Summer Enrichment
• Summer Athletic Programs

Click here for Registration information for all Summer Experience programs.

D214 Radon Testing Program

District 214 is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for all our students and staff. In alignment with this commitment, District 214 has recently completed an extensive radon testing program across all our buildings. This initiative, though not required by law, was undertaken proactively to assess the radon levels within our facilities, following guidelines from Illinois health authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To view the reports, please click here.

Prospect High School named Blue Ribbon School

Prospect High School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023. This prestigious award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement.

Prospect is one of three public high schools in Illinois selected as Exemplary High Performing Schools, and is one of 52 high schools recognized in the nation.

Click HERE to see the full list of this year’s winners.

New website helps track Bears Stadium information

As the Chicago Bears search for a new home, Elementary School District 15, Township High School District 211 and High School District 214 created a website to track the latest stadium information. SuburbanStadium.org is a one-stop shop for anyone wanting more information about stadium-related issues and possibilities. The website includes a timeline of developments, legislative proposals, FAQ and more.

D214 Response to Illinois Proficiency Standards

District 214 metrics on the Illinois Proficiency Benchmarks reflect our growing population of students with multiple at-risk factors that were exacerbated during the pandemic. District 214 developed and presented to the Board of Education the following plans to directly address academic performance and state testing benchmarks.

• Learning Renewal Plan to address overall academic performance 2021-2024

• A multi-year plan to address College Board SAT performance on state assessment 

• Significant expansion of mental health supports and staffing for English learners

To read the full response, click HERE.

D214 expanding access to mental health services

District 214 is taking steps to support students and staff in the midst of the national mental health crisis. The Board of Education agreed to hire additional personnel to meet the social-emotional needs of students. This includes the hiring of additional school social workers and school psychologists to be placed at each D214 high school.

In addition to hiring more school social workers and school psychologists, the District is exploring new community partnerships to increase prevention and wellness efforts as well as leveraging technology to expand access to mental health services. 

Click HERE to see the full presentation from the February 21, 2023 Special Board of Education Workshop. 

District 214 is hosting the NWPA High School Educator Job Fair on March 4, 2023 to hire counselors, clinicians and teachers. Click HERE for more information and to pre-register.

Arlington Park Presentation

District 214’s Board of Education conducted a special meeting on Feb. 2 at Forest View Educational Center.

The District’s legal counsel presented an overview of a new financing mechanism called PILOT, or Payment in Lieu of Taxes, being drafted in the Illinois General Assembly that could be applied to the Chicago Bears’ Arlington Heights stadium proposal. This overview includes the potential economic impact on District 214 and district residents.

Click here to view the presentation and the Special Board Meeting.

First Lady visits Rolling Meadows High School

District 214 was honored to host First Lady Jill Biden at Rolling Meadows High School on Monday, November 14, 2022. She was joined by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to kick off National Apprenticeship Week.

The First Lady and Cabinet secretaries met with students in the Career Pathways program. The District was proud to show The First Lady the hands-on learning opportunities available to students.

D214 makes Forbes' 'America's Best' List

District 214 was named one of the best employers in Illinois by Forbes. The magazine surveyed 70,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 500 employees to create its list of America’s Best Employers by State.

According to Forbes, the final employers on the list universally value fair pay, safe working conditions and an inclusive work culture. This year’s survey also included questions about the wage gap for women and initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion.

District 214 receives grant to expand Youth Apprenticeship Program

District 214 is proud to be the recipient of a grant from the State of Illinois to boost workforce development programs. The grant will be used to expand our Youth Apprenticeship Program to continue to provide authentic work experiences for students. District 214 is one of 44 organizations and the only school district to receive a grant. We are honored to be recognized by the state as a leading partner in this initiative.

D214 selected as a ‘Lighthouse’ School District

The School Superintendents Association, AASA, recognized High School District 214 as one of its “Lighthouse” systems that serves as models of positive change in public education. A panel reviewed more than 120 school districts across the country and picked the top 13 based on several factors including future-ready leaders, a diverse educator pipeline, technology enhanced learning, community alignment and more.

We are honored to serve as a model District for school communities across the country.