WORLD-CLASS OPPORTUNITIES

A Reputation for Excellence

Niles Township High School District 219 continually seeks out opportunities to provide the best possible education for every student. The strong commitment by the Board of Education to a rich, varied and rigorous program has allowed the District to explore exciting new possibilities and pioneer innovative programs.

The mission of the District 219 Board of Education is to ensure a student-focused learning environment where every student succeeds. The goal is to improve the academic achievement of every student through the following five interventions outlined below.

1. Advancing and integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) into the curriculum, to prepare our students for 21st century literacies.
2. Ensuring a guaranteed and rigorous curriculum and common final exam assists students to meet learning targets.
3. Engaging students in anywhere/anytime  learning expands learning opportunities.
4. A comprehensive capital plan ensures our buildings are safe and secure, while meeting the needs of future programs.
5. Establishing and enhancing partnerships with the community strengthens our programs. 

District 219 Facts

• D219 received the Kennedy Center Award for the Performing Arts, which honors the number one fine and performing arts education program in the nation.
• D219 was the first district in the state of Illinois to offer every student an individualized learning plan or ILP.  Student ILPs allow teachers, parents and student support personnel throughout the District to make data-driven decisions tailored to each student’s needs.
• More than 20 members of the D219 faculty are National Board Certified, and D219 actively recruits and supports new candidates.
• The Niles North Science Department was honored with the first-ever Illinois Science Teachers Association Award.
• Our exceptional faculty has won numerous national and state awards. Recent award include: Distinguished Service Citation from American Association of Physics Teachers, National Journalism Rising Star, Illinois Theatre Award, Chicago Motivator Award from American Women in Science, Outstanding German Educator and more.
• Students were invited to present their research at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s most prestigious competition for high school science students. Recently a Niles West student earned Best in Category (the top 1% of participants) in Microbiology.
• Coaches, Physical Welfare teachers and teachers across the curriculum collaborate to balance competitive athletic and rigorous academic success.
• D219 contributes to the community: in 2011-12, D219 students raised more than $85,000 for Special Gifts Theatre through their School Chest/Dance Marathon efforts. To date, the D219 community has raised more than $1 million for Relay for Life.
• D219 is focused on growing its athletic programs to serve the community, in addition to fostering future athletes.
• Racial equity reviews, broad-based diversity programs and world-class language and culture programs highlight the District’s commitment to serving a culturally-rich community.

A Rigorous and Comprehensive Curriculum

D219 maintains rigorous academic standards.  Common curriculum and assessment provide a meaningful and useful measurement of student achievement. With this evidence, teachers can have immediate and reliable data on student performance in the classroom, receive timely feedback, and begin the process for continuous improvement. There are more than 250 separate courses, as well as programs for students with special needs. The District offers between 18 and 24 Advanced Placement (AP) classes each semester. In 2009, 643 students took 1,300 AP exams. Of the tests administered, approximately 87% received a score of 3 or higher. The school year consists of four nine-week quarters. The school day is divided into nine, 42-minute periods. Laboratory classes meet twice a week for an additional 42 minutes. The school day starts at 8:10 a.m. and concludes at 3:23 p.m.

Evolution, Not Revolution

D219 is proud to have long-time leaders working at Niles North, Niles West and Niles Central as teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and support staff. D219 encourages innovation. The District targets resources at successful people and programs. D219 is evolving through the conscious, long-term planning of a five-year strategic plan as well as creative leadership of every person in our schools.

An Exciting and Diverse Community

Niles Township High School District 219 is rapidly emerging as a model for public education in this country. D219 serves approximately 4,900 students from the communities of Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove and Niles at Niles North, Niles West and Niles Central High Schools.

Our vibrant community welcomes and celebrates diversity. More than 60%  of our students come from homes where a language other than English is spoken. Students speak more than 80 languages, with the most common being Spanish, Urdu and Assyrian. The schools hold International Week celebrations every year and one of Skokie’s most popular annual events is the Festival of Cultures.

Strong Community Support

D219 values the strong financial support of the community despite significant socio-economic diversity. Housing stock in the district ranges from multi-million dollar homes to subsidized public housing. One out of three students receives free or reduced-price lunches. The community strongly supports our high schools, which had an annual expenditure per pupil of $22,915 in FY 11.

Relocating to the Area?

Just 13 miles from downtown Chicago, District 219 is close to O’Hare International Airport, major expressways and several modes of public transportation. The District operates a Green Shuttle that picks up and drops off riders at the Metra Rail station in Morton Grove and the CTA Yellow Line in Skokie. The community has a wealth of cultural, arts and entertainment centers, a strong technological/manufacturing base and wonderful retail offerings, including the beautiful Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center. Niles Township residents benefit from miles of bicycle paths and other recreation opportunities through the Cook County Forest Preserves and excellent local park districts.


Commitment to Diversity

Niles Township High School District 219 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. Qualified diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. The District seeks to have a faculty and staff that is representative of our highly diverse student population.

District 219 ensures equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, handicap, or sexual orientation.