Excellent education at all levels has always been a priority for residents of West Chicago, a community that is advantageously served by an exceptional network of schools, both public and private.
Challenging curriculums, access to a variety of extracurricular programs and committed educators all play important roles in the lives of students, as well as the community as a whole.
West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is a pre-K through eighth grade public school system serving more than 4,000 students annually in eight facilities. Among the district’s accolades is the U.S. Secretary of Education’s Initiative Award for the Project C.A.R.E. program for preschoolers. As measured on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), District 33 students have consistently scored above state averages. District 33’s extensive programming assesses each student’s progress and individualizes supports, both academically and socially/emotionally, to ensure students are achieving. District 33 staff is constantly sought after to share its creative and innovative programs. After completing primary school, students of West Chicago and its neighboring communities attend Community High School District 94, a facility that is rated as one of the top educational institutions in the state. The high school has also been acknowledged for its notable scholastic and academic achievements.
Alternatives to public schooling are found through St. Mary’s School, Wheaton Academy and St. Francis High School in Wheaton.
Within a 10-mile radius of West Chicago are a number of colleges and universities for prospective students to choose from. Some decide to begin the college years at one of the area’s junior colleges, including the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn or Elgin Community College in Elgin. Additional choices close by include Aurora University, Benedictine University, two DeVry University campuses in Addison and Naperville, North Central College, and Wheaton College. West Chicago’s proximity to Chicago also affords students with a wealth of additional post-secondary educational choices.
Adding to the learning landscape of West Chicago is the 27,000-square-foot West Chicago Public Library. This modern facility is lined with a collection of more than 70,000 items and offers a multitude of programming for children through adults.