Goal 4: Ready to Embrace a Diverse & Changing World

When School District U-46 high school junior Hana Causevic closes her eyes, she remembers the warm, sweet aromas of honey, freshly baked bread, and plum, peach, and strawberry jams spilling from the pastry shops that dot corners throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina, the country where she was born and visits nearly every summer with her parents.

She appreciates their emphasis on fresh, healthy foods and the tradition of families tending their own backyard gardens or fruit orchards. After graduating from college, Hana plans to open her own pastry shop, where she can bring those treasured smells and tastes of Bosnian treats to people in the United States and share the richness of her culture.

“(Bosnia) is such a beautiful country, people are so friendly and have such good energy, and our food is amazing,” she said. “I want Bosnia to be seen as something other than just the place of a war. There’s so much beauty to it, and I want people to be able to experience Bosnian culture and traditional foods.”

In another area of the school district, high school senior Simran Walas dreams of directing movies, where she can use her behind-the-camera skills and strength in problem-solving to bring meaningful stories to life. Fellow senior Dante Serna, who has loved playing the violin since childhood, plans to pursue a career in music education, following in the footsteps of teachers who nurtured his talent and inspired him along the way.

Three different career paths, but the same level of passion and determination to see their dreams come true. And while Hana, Simran, and Dante are still in high school, their experiences in School District U-46’s Magnet Academies have already equipped them with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to turn their ambitions into reality.

The academies are specialized, four-year high school programs that offer students unique academic experiences, rigorous coursework, and opportunities to explore their interests and prepare for their future goals. Each academy operates within one of U-46’s five comprehensive high schools.

“I love the sense of community that is in the academy,” said Dante, a student at the Visual & Performing Arts Academy (VPAA) at Larkin High School. Through the VPAA, he has immersed himself in music, refined his playing technique, deepened his understanding of music theory, and earned early college credit, all while building the confidence and experience he will need to audition for university music programs.

“Having a small and focused group makes a great environment to get to know each other,” he said. “We are openly able to support each other every step of the way.”

While U-46 has offered specialized high school academies for 30 years, all five are now receiving national attention. Four of the academies — at Bartlett, Larkin, South Elgin, Streamwood — were recently named “Nationally Certified Demonstration Schools” and Top Merit Schools of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America (MSA). This special status means they not only meet the standards for magnet school excellence, but also serve as a model of effective magnet practices. Fewer than 150 Certified Demonstration Schools exist across the United States.

Elgin High School’s academy offers a distinct pathway through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. As an authorized IB World School, the academy has earned international recognition through the International Baccalaureate Organization, a separate organization from Magnet Schools of America. This authorization reflects the academy’s commitment to the rigorous IB framework, which emphasizes academic excellence, inquiry, global perspectives, research, and the development of well-rounded, internationally minded students.

Together, the recognition of U-46’s Magnet Academies through Magnet Schools of America and the IB authorization at Elgin High School reflect the district’s commitment to providing students with high-quality, specialized educational opportunities.

“We are incredibly proud that all five U-46 Magnet Academies have earned national recognition,” said Milena Nedeljkovic, U-46’s assistant director of post-secondary success. “These honors reflect the innovative teaching, engaging learning experiences, and commitment to student success that define our school communities and our district.”

U-46 students apply to the academies in the first semester of eighth grade and may apply to any of the five, regardless of which U-46 high school they would ordinarily attend. If accepted, they attend the high school where that academy is located, and transportation is provided.

For Simran, attending the Beacon Academy of Media & Digital Arts at South Elgin High School meant taking a different path from her friends, most of whom attended other high schools. But after joining a broadcast club in middle school and seeing Beacon’s mobile production truck and broadcast studio at an open house, she knew it was where she belonged. Simran is a senior who plans to attend DePaul University next year to pursue a double major in sports communications and film and television.

Simran’s advice to middle school students who may be hesitant to step outside their comfort zones is to stay focused on the unique opportunities the academies offer.

“When you pick the path that fits YOU the best, you will achieve the most success,” she said. “Nowhere else will you be able to ‘try out’ a film/media program, or a STEM program, or even an arts program for free. In college, that’ll cost tens of thousands of dollars. Choose the program where you see yourself. Base that decision off of no one else.”

Her Beacon Academy classmate Zachary Schwartz, a junior, echoed her sentiment.

“As long as you get involved, you will continue to develop new relationships with other students that have the same interests, especially fellow academy students. Best choice I’ve made!” said Zachary, who adds that his favorite part of attending Beacon is directing the news in the academy’s studio. He also values the strong relationships students develop with their small network of teachers, who become trusted mentors.

Sam Banducci, a senior in the Science, Engineering & High Technology Magnet Academy housed at Bartlett High School, plans to major in biology on a pre-med track in college, with aims of becoming a family physician. But she said that even if she decides not to pursue a science-focused field, her academy experience has prepared her to succeed in any career.

“The skills I’ve learned, such as how to solve difficult problems, work with others, and manage my time, will all help with any path that I could’ve chosen, as these are important life skills,” she said.

For Emily Martinez, her wide range of interests — and uncertainty about which one to pursue — was what convinced her to apply for a spot in Elgin High School’s IB Academy, where she is currently a senior taking a variety of Advanced Placement and IB courses.

“A rigorous academic path that supports me in the journey to discover what I am most inspired and passionate about was what the IB Academy at Elgin provided for me,” she said. “Not only is the IB Academy a good preparation for college, but what one learns, the friendships made, and the overall attitude of those involved in this small but mighty community is what has allowed me to develop traits that I know will be of great assistance to me in my future endeavors.”

For Hana, her belief in the importance of food—not only in individuals' lives, but also in a culture's identity — fuels her dream of opening her own pastry shop. She envisions a warm, inviting space filled with floral decor, creating a “chill, comfortable” atmosphere where customers can relax, linger, and connect.

To realize her dream, Hana knew the Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Action & Design (LEAD) Academy at Streamwood High School was the right choice for her. But she said the experience has been even better than she expected; she is especially proud of her work on a classroom project focused on problem-solving that led to a highly successful food drive.

Her younger sister, already a talented baker, can take the lead in the kitchen, and Hana expects her parents will work there, too. Meanwhile, Hana would handle the marketing and business side of things.

“Since I was a little girl, I loved cooking and being in the kitchen with my mom and sister. But didn’t know you could open up your own business; I thought you worked for other people,” she said. “Once I got in the LEAD Academy and saw all the businesses you can have, I realized I want to open up my own pastry shop that showcases my own traditions!”

Learn more about U-46’s Magnet Academies on the U-46 website and watch a video that provides an overview of all five. The application process for current eighth graders interested in attending a Magnet Academy opens Oct. 1.