Community Unit School District 303
Encyclopedia
Community Unit School District 303 is a comprehensive K-12 public education system covering 57 square miles (147.6 km²) in the Fox Valley
, 40 miles (64.4 km) west of Chicago
.
District 303 serves about 13,590 students from the City of St. Charles
and portions of West Chicago
, South Elgin
, Wayne
, Campton Hills
and unincorporated Kane County
.
Community Unit School District 303 was born in 1949 when, through a referendum, voters approved consolidating High School District 150, Elementary District 87 and Little Woods District 79.
People served by the Wasco two-year high school program voted in 1950 to consolidate with District 303 after another change in state law eliminated two-year high schools.
81.7 percent of all District 303 students met or exceeded state learning standards in 2005 (85.8 percent ISAT; 70.4 percent Prairie State Achievement Exam.) Statewide, an average of 64.9 percent of all students met or exceeded state learning standards in 2005 (68.9 percent ISAT; 54.9 percent PSAE.)*
Approximately 90% of the district's graduates go to college.
St. Charles High School (now St. Charles East High School) was selected by the U.S. Department of Education
as a Blue Ribbon School in 1996 for its excellence in teaching and instruction, student achievement, leadership and parent involvement. In 2003, St. Charles North High School received the Governor's Hometown Award for its contributions to the overall quality of life in the community. In 2006, Haines Middle School was honored as a USDE No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School.
Guided by the District 303 Vision Statement and Goals, and led by the Department of Learning and Teaching, District 303 staff is actively involved in curriculum renewal and redesign in partnership with the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
along with Brown University
. Many staff members and instructional teams have been recognized at the state and national levels for successful and innovative programs.
All staff members benefit from a variety of continuing education courses offered through the district's own university-caliber professional development program. As of summer 2005, eight District 303 teachers had achieved National Board certification, the highest level of certification available to educators.
Staff are represented by four professional associations—the St. Charles Education Association (representing certificated staff); the St. Charles Transportation and Maintenance Association; the St. Charles Educational Support Professionals Association; and the Therapy Association of St. Charles.
Fox Valley (Illinois)
The Fox Valley—also commonly known as the Fox River Valley—is a rural, suburban, and exurban region within Illinois and Wisconsin along the western edges of the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. This region centers on the Fox River of Illinois and Wisconsin...
, 40 miles (64.4 km) west of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
District 303 serves about 13,590 students from the City of St. Charles
St. Charles, Illinois
St. Charles is a Chicago suburb in Kane and DuPage counties of Illinois, United States, and is roughly west of Chicago on Illinois Route 64. According to a 2004 census estimate, the city has a total population of 32,134. The official city slogan is Pride of the Fox, after the Fox River that runs...
and portions of West Chicago
West Chicago, Illinois
West Chicago is a city in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 23,469 at the 2000 census. It was formerly named Turner Junction after its founder, John B. Turner, president of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad in 1855...
, South Elgin
South Elgin, Illinois
South Elgin is a village in Kane County, Illinois, United States. The population was 16,100 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 20,758 as of 2005. In July 2007, Money magazine named South Elgin as 82 of 100 entries in its "America's Best Places To Live" edition.- Geography :South Elgin is...
, Wayne
Wayne, Illinois
Wayne is a village in DuPage and Kane County, Illinois. The eastern portion, in DuPage County, is in Wayne Township while the western portion, in Kane County, is in St. Charles Township. The population was 2,137 at the 2000 census....
, Campton Hills
Campton Hills, Illinois
Campton Hills is a village in Kane County, Illinois and is a far western suburb of Chicago. The population of the village is estimated to be between 11,000 and 12,500....
and unincorporated Kane County
Kane County, Illinois
Kane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
.
History
When formal school districts were originally created in the late 19th century and early 20th century, they were usually drawn along township boundaries. However, legislation was passed in 1946-47 that encouraged school districts to consolidate.Community Unit School District 303 was born in 1949 when, through a referendum, voters approved consolidating High School District 150, Elementary District 87 and Little Woods District 79.
People served by the Wasco two-year high school program voted in 1950 to consolidate with District 303 after another change in state law eliminated two-year high schools.
Schools
The district operates 12 elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools, serving about 13,590 students. Athletes from both high schools belong to the Upstate Eight ConferenceUpstate Eight Conference
The Upstate Eight Conference is an organization of fourteen high schools in northeastern Illinois, representing ten communities in Chicago's suburbs. These high schools are all members of the Illinois High School Association.The high schools of the Upstate Eight Conference are located in Kane...
- Elementaries (K-5)
- Anderson School
- Bell-Graham Elementary School
- Corron Elementary School
- Davis Elementary School
- Ferson Creek School
- Fox Ridge Elementary School
- Lincoln School
- Munhall Elementary School
- Norton Creek Elementary School
- Richmond Elementary School
- Wasco Elementary School
- Wild Rose Elementary School
- In 2005, District 303 purchased 43 acres (174,015 m²) at the corner of Crane and Silver Glen roads with the intention of building an additional elementary and middle school (in a single-joined facility) at that location. Since the land purchase, two referendums intended to finance construction of the schools (2005 and 2006) have failed to pass, the last by a narrow margin.
- Middle Schools (6-8)
- Haines Middle School - Hurricanes
- Thompson Middle School - Titans
- Wredling Middle SchoolWredling Middle SchoolWredling Middle School is a public three-year middle school located in St. Charles, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. It is part of Community Unit School District 303 which also includes Haines Middle School and Thompson Middle School. After graduation, nearly...
- Redhawks
- High Schools (9-12)
- St. Charles East High SchoolSt. Charles East High SchoolSaint Charles East High School is a public four-year high school located in St. Charles, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Community Unit School District 303 which also includes Saint Charles North High School....
- Saints - St. Charles North High SchoolSt. Charles North High SchoolSaint Charles North High School, or SCN, is a public four-year high school, located in St. Charles, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States...
- North Stars
- St. Charles East High School
Students
District 303's composite ACT score for 2005 was 21.8 compared to a state average of 20.1.*81.7 percent of all District 303 students met or exceeded state learning standards in 2005 (85.8 percent ISAT; 70.4 percent Prairie State Achievement Exam.) Statewide, an average of 64.9 percent of all students met or exceeded state learning standards in 2005 (68.9 percent ISAT; 54.9 percent PSAE.)*
Approximately 90% of the district's graduates go to college.
St. Charles High School (now St. Charles East High School) was selected by the U.S. Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
as a Blue Ribbon School in 1996 for its excellence in teaching and instruction, student achievement, leadership and parent involvement. In 2003, St. Charles North High School received the Governor's Hometown Award for its contributions to the overall quality of life in the community. In 2006, Haines Middle School was honored as a USDE No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School.
Curriculum
District 303's educational program is characterized by a tradition of recognized academic achievement, talented faculty, many highly successful championship level athletic teams and award winning fine arts programs.Guided by the District 303 Vision Statement and Goals, and led by the Department of Learning and Teaching, District 303 staff is actively involved in curriculum renewal and redesign in partnership with the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, or IMSA, is a three-year residential public high school located in Aurora, Illinois, USA, with an enrollment of approximately 650 students...
along with Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
. Many staff members and instructional teams have been recognized at the state and national levels for successful and innovative programs.
All staff members benefit from a variety of continuing education courses offered through the district's own university-caliber professional development program. As of summer 2005, eight District 303 teachers had achieved National Board certification, the highest level of certification available to educators.
Parent Organizations
District 303 parent organizations include school-level and district Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs), a Gifted and Talented Resource Group and a Special Education Parents GroupFinances
District 303 operates on a $118.3 million annual operating budget (FY '06) Total operating revenues are about $120 million. Total expenses including construction and bonded debt are $137 million, versus total revenues (all funds) of $134 million.Staff
District 303 employs about 1,750 full and part time staffers in 2005-06, including about 1,065 certificated staff. That number includes about 1,000 teachers.Staff are represented by four professional associations—the St. Charles Education Association (representing certificated staff); the St. Charles Transportation and Maintenance Association; the St. Charles Educational Support Professionals Association; and the Therapy Association of St. Charles.