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About Us

District 63: Success Without Boundaries

kids

Teaching excellence based on each student's needs • A focus on the whole child • A multicultural perspective that celebrates diversity and enhances education • An integral part of Maine Township, building strong partnerships that benefit students, families, and the community. 

East Maine School District 63 offers a rich learning environment to more than 3,600 students in Des Plaines, Niles, Morton Grove, Glenview, and Park Ridge at five elementary schools (K-5), a preschool, and a middle school (grades 6-8). Committed to providing all students with the specific opportunities they need to succeed and thrive, District 63 schools and afterschool programs foster each child’s academic, social, emotional, and behavioral growth and achievement.     

 

District Highlights and Offerings

  • Differentiated instruction - because every student has different strengths and learning styles.
  • An outstanding music program, ten sports offered at Gemini, after-school activities ranging from chess and science clubs to drama, and a Gemini Club led by Maine East's esteemed Schuler Scholar Program.
  • Parent involvement and family activities: PTOs, movie nights, picnics, book fairs, literacy nights, and more.
  • A Family Resource Center that provides a wide range of classes and programming for D63 families and parents - as well as a Welcome Center for families new to the country, a  Marketplace that provides food, clothing, and household items to families in need, and more.
  • Skilled support for English language learners. By 6th grade, English language arts test scores for ELL students exceed state standards. D63 offers dual language classrooms, no-cost multilingual summer school, native language support for students, Spanish-for-Spanish speakers, and sheltered classrooms. For parents, the District offers free ELL classes at the Family Resource Center with free childcare provided.
  • A full range of special education services. More than 98 percent of our special needs students are successfully served within District schools, but the District offers programming for multi-needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) students, primary and intermediate life skills classrooms, and a no-cost extended school year (ESY) summer school. 
  • Kindergarten readiness summer school for at-risk students - free to families accepted into the program.
  • A free Summer Enrichment Program open to all students.
  • Strong community partnerships with area businesses, social service agencies, and local government.
  • First Steps Preschool, which offers a community preschool and programs for children at risk or with special needs at our Early Learning Center.
  • Our Expanded Learning Program, housed at the Family Resource Center, offers exceptional enrichment activities for students, including before- and after-school programs, winter, spring, and summer break programs, special programming during early dismissal days, a Basketball League, and open gym nights.

Student Achievement 

Learn more about ISBE School Report Cards. It's important to note that, regardless of state summative designations, internally, D63's own standards don't change. The District has high expectations and standards for every grade level.

When students stay in the District, they excel. Nearly 80 percent of D63 students live in homes where two or more languages are spoken - creating a rich, multicultural environment that enhances our students' education. However, this means that in the early grades, standardized tests (MAP, IAR) designed for English-speaking students can't accurately measure D63 student progress. By 6th grade, English language arts test scores for ELL students exceed state standards. As students master English, the rate of change is exceptional - a testament to D63's teachers and educational program.