The District 113 Education Foundation is proud to announce that it has awarded more than $18,000 in grants and sponsorships during the 2025–2026 school year. These investments support innovative programs and learning opportunities that enrich the educational experience for students across District 113.

We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our community and the creativity, dedication, and passion of our exceptional educators. Together, we continue to inspire innovation, expand opportunities, and make a meaningful impact on student learning.

GRANTS:

Arts Alive! @DHS 2026 All-School Art Installation
Deerfield High School

Arts Alive! unites the entire DHS community in the creation of a permanent collaborative art installation. Working alongside a professional artist, students contribute to a meaningful piece inspired by the Warrior Way. The project fosters creativity, connection, school pride, and student well-being while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

BlueGel Electrophoresis with Built-In Transilluminator
Highland Park High School

This grant-funded initiative enhances biology instruction by providing state-of-the-art electrophoresis equipment that allows students to visualize and analyze DNA. Biology and Biology Honors students gain hands-on experience with modern molecular biology techniques, making complex concepts such as genetics and DNA fingerprinting more engaging, accessible, and relevant.

Creating an Inclusive Classroom
Deerfield High School

This grant reimagines a Health Education classroom to better support collaborative teaching, active learning, and student engagement. Updated technology and flexible learning spaces benefit students with diverse learning needs while creating a more inclusive and interactive environment for instruction, athletics, and community programming.

Ecological Exploration Equipment
Deerfield High School

This project brings science learning beyond the classroom by providing students with professional-grade field equipment, including hip waders, boots, and sampling nets. Students investigate local streams, ponds, and wetlands, collecting data and studying aquatic ecosystems firsthand. Serving students annually across multiple science courses, the initiative promotes environmental stewardship, scientific inquiry, and real-world learning experiences while ensuring all students can fully participate in field research.

Panorama of Sound: The DHS Steel Band Initiative
Deerfield High School

This innovative music program introduces students to the vibrant tradition of steel pan music while creating new opportunities for participation in the arts. Open to musicians of all experience levels, the ensemble promotes collaboration, creativity, cultural awareness, and performance opportunities both within the school and throughout the community.

Physics Timer and Photogates
Deerfield High School

New timer and photogate systems modernize physics labs and enhance hands-on learning. The equipment streamlines data collection, allowing students to focus on scientific inquiry, experimentation, and data analysis rather than troubleshooting outdated technology. By improving accessibility and efficiency, the project creates more engaging learning experiences and helps students develop a deeper understanding of motion, kinematics, and core physics concepts.

Telling Our Stories: Creating Amate Paintings
Deerfield High School

Students in Spanish III explore the rich tradition of Amate bark paper painting, an art form rooted in Indigenous Mexican cultures. Combining language learning, history, and creative expression, students create personal works of art that tell their own stories while developing cultural appreciation and communication skills.

Stage Write for Fine Arts Productions
Highland Park High School & Deerfield High School

Stage Write software and iPads provide students with access to professional tools used throughout the performing arts industry. Supporting theater, dance, and other productions, the technology enhances collaboration, planning, communication, and digital literacy while preparing students for future creative and technical opportunities.

SPONSORSHIPS:

GENOCIDE AWARENESS DAY 
The District 113 Education Foundation proudly sponsors Genocide Commemoration Day which is a dedicated day of reflection and education for District 113 students and staff, focusing on past and present genocides and mass atrocities. This closed event aims to raise awareness and inspire action against modern genocides.