EDUCATION S
chool District U-46 serves families in 11 communities across 90 square miles including Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin, Streamwood and Wayne and portions of Carol Stream, Hoffman Estates, St. Charles, Schaumburg, and West Chicago. The District is nestled in the Fox River Valley and includes communities within Cook, DuPage, and Kane counties. Nearly 39,000 pre-school through 12th grade students attend the 57 district schools and programs. The vibrant student population lists 103 home languages, with more than half of the students from Hispanic families. More than 30 percent of the students are English Learners, a demographic that paved the way for U-46 to develop its renowned dual language program in 2012. The program allows many students to maintain their first language of Spanish while learning English and also offers an opportunity
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for all students to become fluent in Spanish in addition to English and any other languages they may speak at home. With the Dual Language program now serving students in kindergarten through 10th grade, more than 11,000 students are developing bi-lingual and bi-literacy skills in U-46 classrooms. On any given day, children are speaking both English and Spanish as they discuss concepts in language arts, math, science, and more.
“As a proud graduate of U-46, it is an honor and privilege to be able to serve the same school system that provided me with an outstanding education,” said Dr. Suzanne Johnson, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction. “This position provides me an opportunity to give back to the same community that has given me so much.”
“We are doing incredible work here in one of the state’s most multicultural districts,” said Tony Sanders, U-46 Chief Executive Officer. “Together, with parents and our dedicated staff, we are building new pathways to ensure our students are prepared to succeed in college and careers.” From principals to bus drivers, many of staff members are former students who returned to their communities to serve and lead students within U-46.
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