From the Desk of the Superintendent

"Investing in our Future One Child at a Time" is part of our mission statement and our district’s firm belief that every child can learn. It is a deeply held conviction that is demonstrated every day in our schools by our dedicated teaching and support staff.

District 117 serves approximately 3,000 eager learners from families living in all parts of our three communities of Bridgeview, Hickory Hills, and Palos Hills. Our five schools include Quin Early Childhood School, Dorn grades K-1, Oak Ridge and Glen Oaks grades 2-5 and Conrady serves grades 6-8. Our schools enjoy a high level of diversity and we all embrace the richness of our multi-cultural school communities. We currently have over twenty-five different languages or dialects spoken among the children in our schools.

The district has always been fortunate to have strong community support for our students and our schools. It comes from parents and other interested community members who volunteer. Our "Children’s Better Education Foundation", area businesses and community organizations also offer their resources to provide more opportunities for our students.

Unless you have children in our schools, you may not realize the amazing things our students are learning and doing. Our kindergarten students use computers confidently and competently. Our junior high students are able to explore opportunities beyond the academic classes ranging from athletics to journalism. We even have a video production studio (Panther Productions) in one of our schools where students produce live news spots. Our creative academic assessment programs allow us to build on and enhance a solid foundation of academic instruction tailored to the individual learning needs of each student. I’d encourage you to take a first-hand look at your local school or any of the other schools in the district. Just call and ask to visit. You’ll be welcomed – and I think pleasantly surprised!

It is our goal to become the "beacon of excellence" for school districts throughout the state. We will strive to fulfill that role, because a quality education is vital to the future of our 3,000 students and their families.

Ken Sorrick, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools
North Palos School District 117