Eisenhower School is over capacity. Due to space contraints the District cannot serve about 35% of students eligible to attend Early Childhood and Kindergarten programs. Kindergarten programming is limited to two full-day and six half-day classes. The Early Childhood program is limited to one full-day and six half-day classes.  Essential services including social work, speech and language therapy, and reading intervention are delivered in inadequate office and treatment spaces, compromising privacy and scheduling. The library serves as an additional space for offices and storage, limiting students' access to the space for its intended purpose.

Full-day kindergarten is now required in all Illinois Schools beginning in 2027.

Full-day kindergarten can narrow the achievement gap and decrease the need for remedial and intervention services.

Access to full-day kindergarten provides: 

• 50% MORE time in a full-day (5 hrs vs. 2.5 hrs) program increases students' access to academic and school readiness experiences. 

• Teachers can better assess and address students' academic, social, and behavioral needs. 

• Increased flexibility and opportunities to individualize instruction for students.

• Additional individual and small group interactions.

• Enhanced social emotional and behavioral skills because there are additional opportunities for cooperative free play and experiential (hands-on learning) when essential academics are not compressed into a few short hours. 

D23 will soon be the only D214 feeder district without full-day kindergarten. 

Our kids deserve the same quality educational opportunities available to students in neighboring districts. The community’s plan for our schools would meet the state’s mandate and provide our littlest learners a more comprehensive kindergarten experience, which has proven to improve their academic success throughout their entire lives. It would increase safety and security for our teachers and students. It would ensure every student has the support they need. And it would maintain and even potentially increase home values for our residents.