Curriculum Questions

Will my elementary child have to change buildings?

We are planning to have grades PK-1 in Somonauk, grades 2-5 in Leland, and grades 6-12 in Somonauk. This concept is called “graded attendance centers.”

Why should my young child ride a bus to the next town when there is a good school already in my town?

The Committee of 10 accepted the recommendation of the curriculum committee, which was composed of teachers and administrators from the two districts. This group of professional educators recommended graded attendance centers as the preferred option.

Graded attendance centers would help to ensure all students reach middle school at the same academic level.

Having all students of each grade level at the same building allows for a consistent number of students in each classroom. For example, in 2023, Leland is projected to have 16 students in fourth grade, while Somonauk is projected to have 60 students in fourth grade. This would create a class size of 16 in Leland and a class size of 20 in Somonauk.

Having all teachers of the same grade level in the same building would allow for better teamwork and collaboration.

Graded attendance centers would allow for enhanced support for all students, especially those who need additional support and those who need additional challenges.

Graded attendance centers would eliminate a distinction between “Leland” kids and “Somonauk” kids.

Graded attendance centers would allow for consistent and efficient use of resources such as library books, textbooks, and hands on learning aids."

What elective classes does each school have that the other doesn’t?

Leland has Elementary art, Orientation to Industrial Education and Technology, BizInnovator/Entrepreneurship, Environmental Science, Modern World History, and Local History. Somonauk has Digital Design, AP Studio Art, AP Literature & Composition, Film Expression, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Earth & Space Science, Anatomy & Physiology, Lifetime Fitness, Sociology, and Psychology.