Urbana School District #116

Our Mission

The mission of Urbana School District #116, a multicultural community committed to educational excellence, is to ensure that all learners acquire knowledge, develop skills, and build character to achieve personal greatness and help create a better global society, by providing innovative, comprehensive programs, respecting individual learning styles and cultural differences, and fostering caring and nurturing relationships, while engaging each student, every family, and the entire community.

Our Values

Urbana School District #116 believes that caring and nurturing relationships are key to building trust, setting high expectations, and challenging and supporting all learners. The District also believes that celebrating individual and cultural differences not only engages students and families, but also improves the community in which we live.

Urbana has a long history of celebrating both diversity and excellence in education. We live and work in a multicultural, multilingual community that values public education, the arts, the environment, and collaborative partnerships, Urbana is not only home to one of the best public school systems in the state of Illinois, but it is also home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and major regional banking, communications, and health care centers.

What we offer…

Urbana School District #116 is home to a diverse student population with several schools that offer one of the state’s best Dual Language programs. Over 14% of our district’s students are English learners representing over 50 countries. With nearly 46 languages spoken in our neighborhood schools, students who attend Urbana School District #116 schools are immersed in culturally-rich learning environments that prepare them for success in the multicultural world workforce they will face upon graduation. In addition to our culturally-rich learning environments and top-notch Dual Language program, Urbana School District #116 is also home to Before- and After-School Programs that offer students in grades K-5 supervision and leadership in a variety of areas including recreational activities, occasional special interest projects, reading, homework opportunities and a limited number of field trips. USD116 also offers several school-based programs and activities, a well-rounded curriculum, grant-based programs offered year-round, including the summer months, and multiple opportunities for family engagement.