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Do you love Berwyn?
We do. We are a young & growing community 9 miles west of the loop. We believe that collaboration among students, staff, parents and community members is essential to providing an exceptional learning environment for our children. We have come together for one reason - to promote stronger community involvement in our schools.
Berwyn is in a unique position to embrace its diverse community as a way to help our students learn to be citizens of the world, while at the same time promoting quality education that prepares them to succeed in the 21st century. Our existing school boards and school administrators are working hard to provide the best possible education for our children, but they can't do it alone.
C.A.R.E.S. is dedicated to uniting residents interested in renewing and sustaining enthusiasm, interest and passion in Berwyn's education systems.
About C.A.R.E.S.:
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Unites residents interested in renewing and sustaining enthusiasm, interest and passion in the education system in Berwyn |
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Community-based organization dedicated to promoting an exceptional learning environment for Berwyn's children by improving collaboration among students, staff, parents and community members |
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Promotes a positive public image for Berwyn's educational system |
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Supports effective communication and teaming between the community, schools, administrators and school boards
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Conducts unbiased research to understand and recommend possible solutions to today's educational system challenges, including funding, community involvement and proof of residency
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Serves as a vehicle for openly discussing and exploring decisions that affect the future of our children
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Enables teachers, students and staff through grants to continually improve our school
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Mobilizes talented community members to enhance classroom experiences |
Plenty of reasons to be proud of Berwyn schools:
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Jefferson Elementary School and Prairie Oak Elementary School both earned the distinction of 2005 Illinois Spotlight School from the Illinois Board of Education. |
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Prairie Oak Elementary School earned a 2005 Academic Improvement Award. |
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Berwyn North District 98 was named an "Academic Outperformer" by the Standard and Poor's School Evaluation Services. |
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In District 100, 82% of 3rd graders meet or exceed standards in math, which compares well to neighboring districts that spend two times as much money per pupil. (For more information, see the Illinois interactive report card.) |
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District 100 built Freedom middle School and completed three additions on the elementary buildings with two-thirds of the costs funded by a construction grant through the State, saving taxpayers $13.5 million. |
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Illinois State University selected Irving Elementary as a successful best practice school because they consistently perform high on the Illinois State Achievement Test. |
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District 100 secured a grant to provide after-school and summer-school programs for approximately 600 students; there was no cost to the local taxpayers. |
But there are challenges that need your attention
Schools across the nation are faced with similar challenges as Berwyn's schools. Our existing school boards and school administrators are working hard to provide the best possible education for our children, but more needs to be done to ensure we
can maintain and improve our children's educational opportunities. Real and future challenges include:
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Our per pupil expenditures are in the bottom 25% of school districts in Illinois. Challenges include lower property values
compared to surrounding districts, lower estimated assessed values, population increases, and few big businesses. |
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Significant increase in the number of economically disadvantaged children and children whose second language is English. |
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Higher mobility rate than the state average. |
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