Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124
Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 operates five schools: four elementary schools (serving grades kindergarten through fifth grade) established in each of the four “quadrants” of the village, and one middle school equidistant from the elementary schools located in the heart of Evergreen Park, Illinois, in the Chicago metropolitan area. The elementary schools are Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. All students enter Central Middle School beginning with sixth grade. The District also offers early childhood and pre-kindergarten services and programming. District enrollment fluctuates slightly each year, with approximately 1,800 students enrolled annually. The district’s boundaries are the same as the village boundaries, so the district only serves Evergreen Park residents.
District 124 also offers extended day student care before and after school at each campus to assist families with their childcare needs. Students in all schools experience art and music regularly as part of the overall curriculum. District 124 is also a “One-to-One” school district, with every child in grades K-8 receiving instruction with an iPad or Chromebook on a daily basis. Students and staff at all five schools have been recognized by the Midwest PBIS Network for the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support.
During the 2018-19 school year, Northwest School was recognized by the Illinois Chapter of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (IL-ASCD) with the Whole Child Award for actively engaging students in learning, and connecting the school with its community. In the 2015-16 school year, Central Middle School was recognized as a Horizon School to Watch by the Association of Middle-Level Schools.
The mission and vision of District 124 are captured in the long-range strategic plan developed by the Board of Education and school community. Each day for each child, we attempt to:
• Implement high-quality and challenging curriculum, instruction, and assessment that increases student learning;
• Provide facilities and sites that have a continuous improvement program incorporating curriculum and technology;
• Invest in quality staff, facilities, technology, and programs within the scope of fiscal responsibility to maximize and sustain student achievement; and to
• Inspire students to create, innovate, and collaborate globally in order to prepare them for the dynamic and unprecedented opportunities that await citizens of the 21st Century.
History
Under the direction of Superintendent Robert Ricketts from 1946-1955, a far-seeing building program was initiated, which was completed in 1967. There is now an elementary school in each corner of town, teaching kindergarten through fifth grade with class sizes averaging 20 students. Central Middle School educates seventh- and eighth-grade students.
Central Middle School (formerly Central Junior High), 9400 S. Sawyer Ave., is the oldest school in Evergreen Park. The original school was built in 1876. The oldest enrollment records show 14 students in an ungraded classroom in 1884, with Miss Mary Hayward as teacher. The first principal of Central School was Miss Vaughn.
The school year ran from October to April, since Evergreen Park was a farming community and the students were needed in the fields. Attendance was usually poor in October and April when there was outdoor work to be done.
The present Central School was built in 1927. Twelve classrooms, a gym, and a lunchroom were added in 1945, then a home economics and shop wing in 1965. In 1967, the new gym and administrative offices were added, with extensive remodeling of the rest of the school. At that time, Central became a Junior High School with all of the seventh- and eighth-grade students of District 124 enrolled there. This enabled the school to offer a diversified program, fitting to the needs of the junior high student.
As of the 2017-18 school year, CMS had 623 students with an average class size of 22 students. The current principal of the school is Ms. Michelle Reed.
Northeast School, 9058 S. California Ave., opened in 1950 with twelve classrooms. Miss Marvel Hiller was the first principal of the school. The current principal is Ms. Jacquelyn Janicke.
Southwest School, 9900 S. Central Park Ave., opened in 1953 with 12 classrooms. Mrs. Virginia Rolph was the first principal of the school. The current principal is Mrs. Patricia Bogdan.
Southeast School, 9800 S. Francisco Ave., opened in I958 with 14 classrooms. Mrs. Mabel Jane Swift was the first principal of the school. The current principal is Mr. Tim Sheldon.
Northwest School, 3630 W. 92nd St., opened in 1967 with 10 classrooms, enabling Central to become solely a junior high. Miss Mary Margaret Moore was the first principal of the school. The current principal is Dr. Matthew Banach.