Endless Learning

Education in Flossmoor is built on a tradition of excellence. Residents take advantage of first-class educational resources for people of all ages. Knowledgeable, caring teachers, active school boards and involved parents work together to provide a challenging and rewarding academic environment. Students are encouraged to work to their highest potential, so they are fully prepared for college or the workforce, have a sense of academic responsibility and develop a lifetime love of learning.

Younger students in Flossmoor are served by nationally renowned School District 161, which encompasses Parker Junior High, Serena Hills Elementary, Flossmoor Hills Elementary, Heather Hill Elementary and Western Avenue Elementary. District 161 is attended by approximately 2,600 children. Featured in Elaine K. McEwan’s 10 Traits of Highly Successful Schools, School District 161 has a long and distinguished reputation of educational excellence and is committed to providing a challenging learning experience for all students. District 161 students consistently rank near the top of state and national test score comparisons.

More than 400 School District 161 students were honored in February 2005 for outstanding academic achievement on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), and the Metropolitan Achievement Test. There were 33 perfect scores in one or more areas of the ISAT and four perfect scores on every subject tested on the ITBS. District 161 students are routinely recognized for outstanding musical and instrumental skills as participants in the Illinois Music Educator’s Association competitions and performances. Selection in the IMEA is based on a rigorous audition process.

District 161 instills community values in its students through outreach programs such as participation in local food and clothing drives as well as donations to assist those affected by national disasters. This year, the District is working with community leaders to initiate CHARACTER COUNTS! CHARACTER COUNTS! teaches and models common values called the Six Pillars of Character – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. These pillars provide the standards for conduct and interactions at school and in the community.

Approximately 3,000 students attend Homewood-Flossmoor High School, serving the villages of Flossmoor, Homewood, and portions of Chicago Heights, Glenwood, Hazel Crest and Olympia Fields. In Fall 2002, Homewood-Flossmoor High School received the 2001-2002 Blue Ribbon School’s Special Emphasis Award in Technology. Homewood-Flossmoor High School is the only public high school in the country to be honored with this special technology award.

In May 2002, Homewood-Flossmoor High School was named as a three-time winner of the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Education. Homewood-Flossmoor High School is one of just two public high schools in Illinois to have won the prestigious award three times, and just one of 14 nationally. Homewood-Flossmoor has also received the Department of Education's Technology Award twice and has been named a top-ranked school by SchoolMatch for 11 consecutive years. Adding to the accolades, Electronic Magazine ranked Homewood-Flossmoor as one of the nation’s five best high school technology centers.

The May 2005 issue of Newsweek named Homewood-Flossmoor High School as one of the top 1,000 public schools in the nation. The article ranked Homewood-Flossmoor High School as 13th in its list of the top public schools in the entire Chicago area.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School teachers are dedicated to being the best they can be. More than 63% of the faculty members have earned a master's degree or higher; the “typical” Homewood-Flossmoor teacher has 11.4 years of experience. Awards won by Homewood-Flossmoor teachers and administrators include three Golden Apple awards, a Reader's Digest “Teacher of the Year” award and an inclusion into the “Teacher Hall of Fame.”

The student body is diverse, spirited, and motivated. H-F has sent 95.5% of graduates to 2 or 4-year colleges or tech school. Average daily attendance is 91.7%, and the graduation rate is 94.4%.

Homewood-Flossmoor’s comprehensive curriculum provides traditional courses, yet offers students many options to develop their individual talents. Students may choose from more than 150 courses in subjects such as foreign language, music, computers and more.

Virtually all students participate in at least one extracurricular activity. Homewood-Flossmoor High School offers more varsity sports than any other high school in the state. With over 100 clubs and activities and 28 sports, students are guaranteed to find a program that will both interest and challenge them. Students may also choose six intramural programs. Over 600 students participate in intramurals, and 1,600 students are active in interscholastic athletics.

In addition, Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s facilities are among the best in the state, including modernized classrooms wired for computer-assisted instruction and satellite reception, a fully staffed computer center, a music wing for chorus, band and orchestra, state-of-the-art science labs, an Olympic-style swimming pool, a greenhouse for botanical experiments, and a fully-equipped, student-run TV and radio station.

Award-winning private schools offer Flossmoor residents alternative choices for education. Infant Jesus of Prague, a two time Blue Ribbon School, serves students in pre-school through eighth grade. Marian Catholic High School, yet another Blue Ribbon School, provides a top-notch educational program and a wide array of extracurricular activities. In addition, a number of preschool and two Montessori schools are also available.

For those pursuing higher education, Governors State University (GSU) in University Park and Prairie State College (PSC) in Chicago Heights provide outstanding continuing education opportunities for Flossmoor residents.

Thirty-seven years after opening, GSU is an upper-division university, offering undergraduate courses at the junior and senior levels as well as graduate level coursework leading to a master’s degree. Governors State University’s four colleges include Arts and Sciences, Business and Public Administration, Education, and Health Professions. GSU currently offers 47 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, as well as 11 certificate programs, and in 2007, GSU will offer its first professional doctoral degree program.

Governors State University is home to the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, which began with one sculpture in 1969 and has since become one of America’s most significant outdoor collections. GSU is also known for its small business development center, CenterPoint. In the past three years, CenterPoint has helped arrange for nearly $53 million in financing and created and retained over 1,100 jobs in the region.

Founded in 1957, Prairie State College is a two-year community college offering associates degrees, technical and career studies certificates, plus adult, corporate and continuing education. Originally intended to offer transfer liberal arts and occupational courses, Prairie State now offers five types of associate degrees, two types of certificates, and training in many other areas.

Prairie State has been continually growing, and boasts a modern Technical Center, Christopher Art Gallery, and Business and Community Education Center. Prairie State reaffirms its commitment to the community through several collaborations with St. James Hospitals, the Chicago Heights Park District, and through the Matteson Area Center (MAC) and Prairie State College Corporate Training Center. PSC also offers instruction at high schools and business and community centers across town.

METRA rail service also provides quick and convenient access to the University of Chicago, in addition to many other prestigious institutions within the City of Chicago. In fact, Flossmoor’s excellent school system and convenient access to local colleges and universities has made the community “the residence of choice” for faculty and scholars.