Diamond Lake School District 76 shall provide
academic opportunities that challenge each
student to achieve his or her highest potential and prepare them for high school and beyond.
Diamond Lake School District 76 is a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade public school district which serves students from Mundelein, Vernon Hills, and Long Grove. District 76 has three schools – Fairhaven School, Diamond Lake School, and West Oak Middle School - with a total enrollment of approximately 1250 students. Upon graduation from 8th grade, students attend Mundelein or Stevenson High School.
District 76 is very fortunate to offer the benefits of a small school district. With an average class size of 18 in the elementary grades and 20 in middle school, students are able to make meaningful connections with staff. The small school environment also offers greater opportunities for participation in a variety of extracurricular activities.
The Diamond Lake School District offers a range of courses to meet the needs of all its students. Accelerated classes, foreign language, fine arts, and academic support programs are provided to enable all students to succeed in school. Students participate in physical education and computer lab programs at least three times per week. Required art and music classes meet a minimum of one time per week. A comprehensive education is provided to all of the students in the district.
The district’s 3rd and 5th grade ISAT scores for 2005 were ranked #1 in the state of Illinois for districts matching our demographics. Fairhaven School won the prestigious Exemplary Reading Award from the International Reading Association in the spring of 2006. Numerous teachers in the district have been listed in Who’s Who in America’s Teachers.
The quality of District 76’s education is apparent when examining the success of the district’s graduates. According to data provided by top-ranked Stevenson High School, West Oak Middle School students consistently perform as well as or better than Stevenson’s other feeder schools. West Oak Middle School graduates are well prepared to succeed in high school.
Financially, Diamond Lake School District operates a fiscally responsible budget. The Illinois School Report Card demonstrates that District 76 provides a quality education in a cost efficient manner. For instance, scores on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test are above the state average. Yet, the per pupil expenditure is below the state average.
In addition to academic excellence, one of District 76's greatest assets is its diversity. District 76 is ethnically and economically diverse. This environment provides a learning environment for students which goes beyond academics to broadening pupils’ understanding of many cultures.
Beyond academic excellence and diversity District 76 offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities for its students. Beginning in 2nd grade, Diamond Lake students may choose to participate in the school’s newspaper or yearbook, intramural sports, or chess club, among many other programs. West Oak students also have the opportunity to try out for 2005-06 Illinois State Champion Poms Squad, award-winning jazz band, orchestra, theatrical productions, or to participate in the student council and many additional activities.
In a 2006 survey conducted by an outside research firm, the overwhelming majority of district parents felt that their children were receiving a high quality education in a supportive environment. District teachers and administrators received high marks for their skill and for maintaining a positive learning environment.
Diamond Lake School District is a small, academically challenging, fiscally responsible district offering its diverse student population a well-rounded education that prepares pupils to succeed. |