# St. Charles Community Unit School District 303

Community Unit School District 303 is a comprehensive K-12 public education system covering 57 square miles (150 km$^2$) in the Fox Valley, 40 miles (64 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, Elburn, a very small portion of Elgin and unincorporated Kane County.

## 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 (including the new Fox Ridge), two middle schools, and two high schools, serving about 13,590 students. Athletes from both high schools belong to the DuKane Conference
* Elementary (K-5)
** Anderson Elementary School - Foxes
** Bell-Graham Elementary School - Bobcats
** Corron Elementary School - Coyotes
** Davis Primary School
** Richmond Intermediate School
** Ferson Creek Elementary School - Foxes
** Fox Ridge Early Childhood Center- (New Development happening in the 2024-2025 school year, Fox Ridge will again become an Elementary School from previous 2018.)
** Lincoln Elementary School - Leopards
** Little Woods Elementary School
** Munhall Elementary School - Mustangs
** Norton Creek Elementary School - Eagles
** Wasco Elementary School - Wolves
** Wild Rose Elementary School - Panthers
** In 2005, District 303 purchased 43 acres (170,000 m$^2$) 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. Referendums in 2005 and 2006 intended to finance the construction of the schools failed to pass.
* Middle Schools (6-8)
** Thompson Middle School - Thunder
** Wredling Middle School - Redhawks
* High Schools (9-12)
** St. Charles East High School - Saints
** St. Charles North High School - North Stars

### Davis-Richmond merger

In 2010, the school district decided to combine Davis, an overcrowded elementary school, and Richmond, a failing school that was only at 50% capacity, to create Davis Primary (grades K-2) and Richmond Intermediate (grades 3-5). The schools are close together so transportation was easy. The school days at Richmond were made 40 minutes longer. Spanish and French language courses were offered and every student was given their own tablet.

### Lincoln Elementary

Lincoln Elementary was built in 1928, unfortunately, Lincoln will be closing and had it last school year of the 2023-2024 school year, Lincoln will be repurposed and used for Staff Meetings and PTO Meetings as the former Haines Middle School was used for, will now become an Early Childhood Center.

## 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.)

## Curriculum

District 303 staff is actively involved in curriculum renewal and redesign in partnership with the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy along with Brown University, in the School Year of 2023-2024 District 303 used a new ELA Curriculum from McGraw Hill Education called Wonders. They also have had for a while a Math Curriculum from Great Minds called Eureka Math. Also using the IAR and ISA - (5th grade, 8th) Through 3-5 in Elementary School 6-8 in Middle.

## Parent organizations

District 303 parent organizations include school-level and district Parent Teacher Organizations.

## Finances

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.

## Teacher profile

The average teacher salary in 2005 was $52,502. The average teacher had 10.9 years of experience in 2004-2005. About 57 percent of District 303 teachers hold master's degrees or higher.

## Growth

District 303 grew significantly since the start of the 21st century. About 250 new students enrolled in District 303 for the 2005-06 school year. Growth of 300-500 new students was expected to continue for the next three to five years.

## Haines Center

In 2015, D303 closed the Haines Middle School on S 9th St in St. Charles, Illinois, due to the re-purpose of the nearby Thompson Middle School. Haines is now used for PTO meetings and Staff Meetings, with the two other middle schools Thompson Middle and Wredling Middle. In the coming 2024-2025 school year Haines will be used for an Early Childhood Center.

## Fox Ridge

In 2018, Fox Ridge Elementary was shut down and converted into an Early Childhood Center. In October 2023, The D303 School Board decided to change Fox Ridge Early Childhood Center into an Elementary School, The Early Childhood Center will be moved to the former Hanes Middle.