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<body> <p>This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them. The following information about West Chicago is provided from a Chamber of Commerce brochure from 2000. Schools Families of West Chicago are served by several outstanding public and private schools Elementary School District 33 includes Currier, Gary, Indian Knoll, Pioneer, Turner, and Wegner elementary schools; and West Chicago Middle School. (A small portion of West Chicago is in Benjamin School District #25.) Teens attend Community High School District 94. Elementary District 33 The curriculum focuses on the basics - language arts, reading, mathematics, science, social sciences - as well as computer literacy, art, music, and physical education, health and fitness. West Chicago Middle School also provides advanced learning through its new technology lab. District 33 schools offer bilingual and English-as-a-second-language programs to the approximately 3,600+ students enrolled in the seven schools. Among its many awards, the district was honored with the U.S. Secretary of Education's Initiative Award for its Projects C.A.R.E. program which provides special assistance to three- and four-year- olds who require special help to ensure future success in school. IGAP (Illinois Goal Assessment Program) scores for students in District 33 are consistently above state averages. The district employs a certified staff of 222 full-time and 16 part-time teachers (with an average of almost 11 years of experience; almost half of teachers hold masters degrees), plus seven principals, one assistant principal, and six full-time administrators. Our Mission The mission of Community High School is to prepare each student to be a life-long learner and a responsible member of our diverse society in a dynamic and nurturing environment. A Reputation for Excellence Community High School has achieved national distinction as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The United States Department of Education has recognized Community High School for educational excellence and innovation. Dedicated and Gifted Teachers Community High School has a reputation for attracting and retaining the best teachers. Our teachers are student-centered and have a strong sense of the special calling of teaching. They are actively involved in professional associations, advise state-level committees, speak at a variety of state and national professional meetings, and publish in professional and literary journals. Sixty-six percent of our teachers hold advanced degrees. Seven Math teachers received Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. Academic Innovation Nationally acclaimed Math and Science programs, interdisciplinary classes for freshmen, and integrated American History and literature courses for sophomores and juniors are just some of the innovative programs available to our students. Several alternative programs, including the Technology Center of DuPage, are available as well. A strong business/education partnership improves student learning and provides additional career opportunities. Commitment to the Arts Community High School maintains a strong commitment to the arts. A full range of fine arts classes are provided including dance, theater, art, computer art, choral classes, band and orchestra and photography. Musical, dance and theatrical productions are featured each year. High Academic Standards Ninety-six percent of Community High School students continue their education beyond high school. ACT scores are consistently higher than state and national averages. The school had 57 State Scholars, 198 Academic Merit Award winners and 76 college and university scholarship award winners in 2002. Over 250 courses are offered including 12 advanced placement courses, general education, general education alternative, special education and technology courses. Success in Meeting Needs of Culturally Diverse Students Bilingual classes, English as a Second Language classes, Sheltered English classes, and the new Welcome Center provide a full range of services for students until they enter mainstream classes. The school employs bilingual teachers, counselors, social workers and support staff. The high school was recognized by Hispanic Magazine for successfully addressing the needs of Hispanic students. Dynamic and Nurturing Environment A wide range of sports, clubs and other activities are available to help students expand their interests and abilities. Student support ranges from remedial programs to highly challenging and creative courses. The school holds high expectations of success for every student and provides assistance to help them reach that goal. Innovative programs include the Academic Skills Center, the Student Support Center and Peer Tutoring. A comprehensive Counseling Department provides a full range of services. Facility and Technology Community High School is one of the premier school facilities in Illinois. Located on a quiet street in West Chicago, the handsome brick building is surrounded by ancient oak and maple trees. State-of-the-art technology has been fully integrated into each classroom of the distinctive 420,000 square foot main building. The school has 750 networked computers and 15 fully equipped computer labs. Classrooms are wired for full Internet access. Many other technological features have been added as well. The school features a pool and field house, two gymnasiums, a dance studio, a fitness room, a sports stadium, a full-service library, a photography darkroom and a horticultural laboratory. All classrooms in the main building are air-conditioned. Two outstanding private parochial schools also serve West Chicago students: many elementary-age children attend St. Mary's School on Garden St.; high schoolers may attend Wheaton Academy (formerly Wheaton Christian High School) located on Prince Crossing. Even more educational opportunities for students of all ages: College of DuPage holds classes at its nearby, 273 acre Glen Ellyn campus, and at more than 40 other sites (including three branch educational centers) in local communities. The community college offers associates degrees in various areas of business, humanities, communications, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and occupational and vocational education. Students are prepared to transfer as juniors to a four-year college or university, of fully trained in a trade or profession. COD also has its own radio station, WDCB-FM, which operates 24 hours a day and reaches a large portion of the Chicago metropolitan are with news, music and features. Several other universities are also within a short drive of West Chicago: the University of Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago, Loyola, De Paul, Northwestern University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Northern Illinois University. Four-year area colleges include Elmhurst, Illinois Benedictine (in Lisle); North Central (in Naperville); and Wheaton College (in Wheaton). Churches Not long after the railroads joined to create a community that was to become West Chicago, settlers built their first houses of worship to continue the religious traditions handed town from generation to generation. Today's "modern-day settlers" keep the faith of their forebears at the 14 churches and temples located within the city proper. The denominations represented include Lutheran, Roman Catholic, United Church of Christ, RCA, Methodist, Episcopal, Church of Christ, Bahai, Baptist, and Buddhist; West Chicago Bible Church is interdenominational. Temple B'Nai Israel is located in nearby Aurora. Culture In addition to the variety of cultural amenities found within an hour's drive in Chicago, West Chicago itself offers a wealth of cultural attractions and activities. History is important to West Chicago; the city's museums and historic sites preserve and celebrate the past. The West Chicago City Museum is housed in what was from 1884 to 1976, Turner Town Hall. The narrow two-story building, typical of the era in which it was built, is now listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The Museum's large and comprehensive collection includes thousands of items - artifacts, memorabilia, documents, photographs, clothing, furniture and other pieces - pertaining to local history, with a particular focus on railroads. It also features extensive research files on genealogy, area businesses and homes, city and area history, railroads, and other subjects. Many of the museum's exhibits offer hands-on experiences for children. The Kruse House Museum - operated by the West Chicago Historical Society - is located in Kruse House, a 1917 Prairie-style home which displays the furniture and possessions of the Kruse family and other early settlers of the community who worked for the railroads. The Baker Homestead, an exceptional example of an 1840's Creek Revival farmhouse, is currently undergoing restoration. Kline Creek Farm, located on the eastern edge of West Chicago, is a living history museum which demonstrates life on an 1890's farm through the use of costumed interpreters. The nearby Fermi Lab Arts Center and the College of DuPage Arts Center offer live productions of music, dance, art and theater. Pheasant Run features critically acclaimed dinner theater performances. The Cultural Arts Commission actively encourages and supports the arts in West Chicago. One of their projects is an annual art show held during Railroad Days. The city and its residents are particularly proud of the new West Chicago Public Library which opened in 1993. The stately, 27,000 square foot brick building on Washington Street in downtown West Chicago houses a collection of over 75,000 books, 4,000+ audio item, 172 periodicals, and an extensive reference and business section. The state-of-the-art computerized catalog and indexing system provides patrons easy access not only to the library's holdings, but to those of the other 147 libraries which are members of the DuPage Library System. </p> </div> </body>