Academics
Rigorous, standards-based instruction that serves the needs of our diverse student body is the foundation of academics at District 401. A broad array of accelerated learning and support programs is another.
Learn more about each of our schools' Core Curriculum below:
Elmwood Park High School
Rigorous, standards-based instruction that serves the needs of our diverse student body is the foundation of academics at Elmwood Park High School.
The work of our educators is guided not only by state and national learning standards. It is also guided by our commitment to providing students with clear pathways to college and career fulfillment. This commitment is the framework within which our learning community thrives.
EPHS Core Curriculum
English, math, science and social studies are the four subjects that make up our core curriculum. General Studies options and Distinguished Scholars options are available in each subject.
College & Career Pathways
Since 2019-20, Elmwood Park High School has offered courses as part of College & Career Pathways, a District 401 initiative focused on better aligning EPHS and Elm Middle School curricula with the post-secondary pursuits of our students.
The goal of the College & Career Pathways is to better prepare D401 students to compete and succeed in the global economy.
With the help of aligned programs of study and pathway exploration, students will graduate with well-developed post-secondary plans, stronger experiential learning opportunities and a diverse set of skills suited for academic and career success.
Our Goals
Elmwood Park High School seeks to fulfill the following goals in the service of its mission of providing a comprehensive high school education that prepares students to be productive citizens of a diverse, global and interdependent society.
- 1. Communication and Computation Goals
- 2. Practical Skill Goals
- 3. Personal Growth and Perspective Goals
- 4. Comprehensive Curriculum Goals
1. Communication and Computation Goals
- Students should be able to formulate ideas and to express themselves accurately and precisely in both oral and written forms.
- Students should be able to communicate both formally and informally, recognizing which forms of behavior, speech, dress, writing, etc., are appropriate in a given context.
- Students should be able to solve and explain mathematical problems, especially word problems, and should be competent in estimating.
2. Practical Skill Goals
- Students should be able to perform pragmatic (life) skills, i.e., write checks, follow directions, utilize resources, make judgments, know when to ask for help and other skills needed in daily living.
- Students should have established work habits, i.e., dependability, reliability, accountability, drive, perseverance, self-evaluation and cooperation.
3. Personal Growth and Perspective Goals
- Students should develop a global perspective through knowledge of:
- Geography
- History (traditions and values)
- Economics and politics of other cultures
- Students should be able to take different points of view and demonstrate tolerance and appreciation of views that differ from their own.
- Students should be able to differentiate between facts and opinions.
- Students should be prepared to live in an interdependent world recognizing that one can travel to almost any country in less than a day, and that our economies and environments are interdependent.
4. Comprehensive Curriculum Goals
- Students should complete a comprehensive curriculum as follows:
- Humanities (art, music, literature)
- Social Science (history, geography, economics)
- Mathematics, Science
- Communication (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
- Employment and Life Skills (business, technology, physical education, health, personal and interpersonal skills, ethical standards)
- Extracurricular Activities
- Students should be the center of the teaching/learning process. That is, their individual differences should be accommodated without compromising the expectations of a comprehensive high school.
Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for a lifetime of success. This success begins in the classroom but continues as our students graduate from District 401 and move on to institutions of higher learning and the workforce.
Elm Middle School
Rigorous, standards-based instruction is one part of the academic picture at Elm Middle School. A broad array of accelerated learning and support programs is another.
All of our ELA and math courses are aligned with the Common Core Standards. Our other courses are aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards. In addition, our technology courses are aligned with the International Society for Technology in Education Standards.
What it all adds up to — after three years in our classrooms working within the framework of our College & Career Pathways program — is a well-prepared student body ready to take the next step toward success in District 401 and beyond.
Elm Core Curriculum
English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies are the four subjects that make up our core curriculum. Accelerated course options are available in ELA, math and science.
College & Career Pathways
In conjunction with Elmwood Park High School, Elm offers courses within the framework of College & Career Pathways. This is a District 401 initiative focused on better aligning middle school and high school curricula with the post-secondary pursuits of our students.
The goal of the College & Career Pathways is to better prepare D401 students to compete and succeed in the global economy.
With the help of aligned programs of study and pathway exploration, students will graduate with well-developed post-secondary plans, stronger experiential learning opportunities and a diverse set of skills suited for academic and career success.
To Learn More
Do you have general questions about Elm's curricular programming and course offerings? If so, please contact Dr. Kimberly Ontiveros, the District's Director for Curriculum & Instruction.
John Mills Elementary School
Rigorous, standards-based instruction is one part of the academic picture at John Mills Elementary School. A broad array of accelerated learning and support programs is another.
What it all adds up to — after growing up in our classrooms from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade — is a student body ready to take the next step toward success in District 401 and beyond.
To Learn More
For additional information about John Mills academics — from how we assess student learning to opportunities for enrichment and support — we invite you to visit links located in the right-hand column of this page.
Elmwood Elementary School
Rigorous, standards-based instruction is one part of the academic picture at Elmwood Elementary School. A broad array of accelerated learning and support programs is another.
What it all adds up to — after growing up in our classrooms from kindergarten through 5th grade — is a student body ready to take the next step toward success in District 401 and beyond.
To Learn More
For additional information about Elmwood academics — from how we assess student learning to opportunities for enrichment and support — we invite you to visit the links located in the right-hand column of this page.