Unite U-46: Moving Our Schools Forward

Keeping the Board of Education and community updated on the Unite U-46 process is a priority.

In early 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, U-46 embarked on an Educational Facility Master Plan (EFMP) process. The Board of Education selected DLR Group, a Chicago-based design firm, as its partner in this work. This process assessed our infrastructure, classrooms, overall facility use, efficiency, and readiness in order to meet the District’s vision of moving to a true middle school model (grades sixth - eighth versus only seventh and eighth); using the space in elementary schools to expand early childhood opportunities across U-46, and to replace and/or renovate some of our older elementary school buildings to provide equitable access to learning environments that support academic success for all.

History
Progress

History

On Jan. 24, 2022, the Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution confirming their support of a five-year implementation plan that meets the District’s vision outlined above. In February 2022, community members and School District U-46 embarked on the Unite U-46 planning process to develop recommendations to improve and move U-46 schools forward.

To make the Unite U-46 recommendations a reality and address the needs discovered in the educational facilities master plan, Unite U-46 recommended the Board of Education utilize available reserve funds and place a $180 million zero-tax-rate-change bond proposal on the April 2023 ballot to address these goals. Thanks to the vote of the U-46 residents, the zero-tax-rate-increase bond issue was approved.

Progress

Phase 2 of the Unite U-46 process focused on ensuring that the original goals and intent of these recommendations were respected and honored during implementation.

From June 2023 through May 2024, more than 220 community members actively participated in six Unite U-46 community engagement workshops using the most up-to-date data to determine the optimal number of elementary and middle schools needed to serve our students and families now and in the future, developing community priorities and options for updates to attendance boundaries and reviewing options to accommodate declining enrollment and transitioning to a sixth through eighth grade middle school model. Currently, U-46 middle schools include only grades seventh and eighth.

Participation opportunities in Phase 2 of the Unite U-46 process were similar to those in Phase 1, offering the community various ways to get involved, including Facilitating Team Meetings, which helped prepare the Community Engagement Workshops, online feedback forms following the community workshops, and a community-wide survey focused on attendance boundary updates.

In September 2024, the third phase of the Unite U-46 process began to seek feedback and guidance on new districtwide attendance boundaries, which were finalized in the Spring of 2025. The Phase 3 sessions also include regular updates on the plan's implementation and construction progress. Those updates are linked lower on this page.

Construction Progress

This section of our Unite U-46 website will showcase construction progress made across the district. The projects listed are the result of the successful April 2023 referendum, in which residents voted to approve a $180 million zero-tax-rate-change bond proposal for the community-created Unite U-46 educational and facility recommendations.

Legacy Middle School

Legacy Middle School in Elgin

Construction Progress - Spring 2025 to Winter 2026

Construction Progress - Late October 2025

Legacy Middle School Groundbreaking

For the first time in more than 20 years, a brand-new U-46 middle school is being built from the ground up. This school will be located on the far east side of Elgin, adjacent to Hilltop Elementary.

This 3-story, 200,000 square foot building will serve students beginning in August 2027.

Hawk Hollow Middle School

Hawk Hollow Middle School: Completed!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Hawk Hollow Middle School is now open, welcoming 7th grade students for the 2025-26 school year. Watch the ribbon cutting ceremony below:

Naming of Hawk Hollow Middle School in Bartlett

Thank you to all who provided feedback. The new middle school in Bartlett will open in fall 2025-26, and we want to thank everyone who provided feedback to help choose its name! You can learn more about the process here in English, y aquí en español.

The Board of Education, on Jan. 27, 2025, approved a resolution to name the new building Hawk Hollow Middle School.

In its resolution, the Board noted that the name honors the nearby Hawk Hollow forest preserve and reflects shared experiences and positive memories for many in the community.

Hawk Hollow Middle School Updates

(previously Hawk Hollow Elementary School)

June 2024 - New Middle School in Bartlett Project Update Handout

February 2024 - Hawk Hollow Project Update

May 24, 2023 - Hawk Hollow Project Update Presentation (English)

May 24, 2023 - Hawk Hollow Project Update Handout (English)

24 de mayo de 2023 - Informe del Proyecto Hawk Hollow (Español)

24 de mayo de 2023 - Folleto del Proyecto Hawk Hollow (Español)

New Middle School at Hawk Hollow Virtual Walk-Through of the Addition and Renovations

Hawk Hollow Middle School Virtual Walk-Through

Hawk Hollow Middle School Groundbreaking

On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new state-of-the-art middle school in Bartlett took place at the site of the previous Hawk Hollow Elementary School. This is part of the Unite U-46 bond initiative: modernizing schools and making them better environments for students learning.

Kenyon Woods Middle School Addition

Kimball Middle School Addition

Century Oaks Elementary School

Century Oaks Renovation & Addition

Century Oaks Elementary Renovation & Additional Groundbreaking

On Dec. 2, 2025, the groundbreaking ceremony for 35,000 square feet of interior renovations to Century Oaks Elementary was held. The work will improve natural light, student circulation, and learning environments. The school, built in 1970, will also receive 19,000 square feet of new additions. Much of the new new space will allow the school to have dedicated preschool classrooms, increasing access for early learners in this neighborhood and the greater community.

Century Oaks Elementary School Groundbreaking

Glenbrook Elementary School

Glenbrook Renovation & Addition

Scheduled for March 3, 2026

Glenbrook Elementary School, built in 1971, will undergo 35,000 square feet of interior renovations to improve natural light, student circulation, and learning environments, as well as 14,000 square feet of new additions. Glenbrook students and staff will be reassigned to the Hanover Countryside building for the 2026-27 school year while renovations in the existing building start this June; work is expected to be completed by August 2027.

Future Elementary School Construction Projects

McKinley Elementary School: Plans are moving forward to replace McKinley Elementary due to its age and accessibility challenges. The district is exploring a new site at the former David C. Cook property on Grove Avenue. Our architectural partners are working on a conceptual design that honors the location's historical significance while taking advantage of its natural landscape near the Fox River. The timeline for this project is being finalized.
Illinois Park Early Learning Center: Illinois Park, currently an early childhood center, will transition to an elementary school and will receive a small addition and updated driveways and drop-off areas. The update is expected to be finished by 2026.

Groundbreaking Photos

A large group of people, including students, stand behind shoves and in front of construction equipment at a groundbreaking ceremony.

Hawk Hollow Middle School

Century Oaks Elementary School

Larkin High School

Glenbrook Elementary School

The image features the text %22Unite46%22 in large letters, accompanied by an abstract design of colorful geometric shapes and arrows pointing upwards.

New Boundaries

Updated Boundary Map

School Locator Tool

Boundary Exception Form

Additional resources related to the history of this work can be found on this page.

Naming of New School

New Middle School in Elgin to be Named 'Legacy Middle School' - Learn more.

A drawing of a large, modern school building with a flag pole out front

Board Updates

Here, you will find links to the facilities updates provided to the U-46 Board of Education.

Updates 2025-26

2025-26 Unite U-46 Updates

Updates 2024-25

2024-25 Unite U-46 Updates

Facilities Update - Aug. 19, 2024

-- Construction update for new middle school in Bartlett -- Project updates for additions to Kimball and Kenyon Woods middle schools -- Recommendations for elementary projects

Facilities Update - July 22, 2024

-- Construction update for new middle school in Bartlett -- Project updates for additions to Kimball and Kenyon Woods middle schools -- Project update for new middle school in Elgin -- Naming of School Facilities

Facilities Update - Sept. 23, 2024

-- New preschool classrooms at Larkin High School -- Construction updates on Middle School Projects -- Middle School Transition -- Prioritized Elementary Recommendations -- Capital Project Financial Summary

Updates 2023-24

Updates to Board of Education 2023-24

Boundaries - May 20, 2024

-- Attendance Boundary Recommendations for New Middle School in Bartlett

Facilities Update - April 22, 2024

-- Proposals to purchase, sell property -- Construction update for new middle schools -- Boundary recommendation for new middle school in Bartlett -- Reminder of May 8 Unite U-46 session

Facilities Update - Aug. 21, 2023

-- Purchase and Sale Agreement -- Transition of previous Hawk Hollow elementary site -- Fall Unite U-46 Sessions

Facilities Update - Dec. 11, 2023

-- Summary and Findings of Elementary School Visit

Facilities Update - Dec. 18, 2023

-- Middle School Renovations Update -- Elementary School Project Recommendations

Updates 2023

Updates to Board of Education 2023

Facilities Update - June 26, 2023

-- Financing Update -- Unite U-46 Update -- Shift of 6th grade to middle school -- Conceptual Capital Planning Study

Facilities Update - May 15, 2023

-- Review updated enrollment projections -- Review capacity utilization of our schools -- Impact on school boundaries -- Unite U-46 sessions to resume in June

Unite U-46 Phases

Phase 1: Overview

Unite U-46 Phase 1: Moving Our Schools Forward

Community engagement initiative to develop recommendations on the best way to implement the vision of the U-46 Board of Education.

In early 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, U-46 embarked on an Educational Facility Master Plan (EFMP) process. The Board of Education selected DLR Group, a Chicago-based design firm, as its partner in this work. This process assessed our infrastructure, classrooms, and overall facility use, efficiency, and readiness in order to meet the District’s vision of moving to a true middle school model (grades 6-8 versus only 7 and 8); using the space in elementary schools to expand early childhood opportunities across U-46, and to replace and/or renovate some of our older elementary school buildings to provide equitable access to learning environments that support academic success for all.

On Jan. 24, 2022, the Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution confirming their support of a five-year implementation plan that meets our District’s vision mentioned above. We understand this shift will not be an easy task and acknowledge that we need the engagement and feedback of our community. Therefore, in February 2022, community members and School District U-46 embarked on the Unite U-46 planning process to develop recommendations to improve and move U-46 schools forward.

Please view the Unite U-46 community engagement session recordings, presentations, and summaries below. A building tour and open houses were also offered. If you missed these, here you will find details and a "virtual tour." A summary report of the work is available here.

The updates provided to the U-46 Board of Education and the Community Advisory Council about the first phase of the Unite U-46 community engagement sessions are available below.

For our Unite U-46 process to be a success, we needed the help of our entire U-46 community! We held five Unite U-46 sessions between April and November 2022. Below you will find the recordings of the Unite U-46 Phase 1 sessions.

Session #1: Overview

Session #2: How Our School Buildings Impact Student Success

Session #3: The Whys Behind Preschool and Middle School

Session #4: How School Building Improvements Are Funded / Options for Moving Forward

Session #5: Refine and Finalize Recommendations

Presentation of Recommendations to the U-46 Board of Education

Virtual Building Tour and Open House Recap

Tour School Buildings:
*Each school is linked to a building snapshot.

Click here for building snapshots of all U-46 schools

Phase 2: Community Engagement

Unite U-46 Phase 2: Moving Our Schools Forward

Community engagement initiative focused on ensuring original goals and intent of recommendations were respected and honored during implementation.

In April 2023, the U-46 community approved a zero-tax rate increase referendum for the community-created Unite U-46 educational and facility recommendations. Phase 2 of the Unite U-46 process focused on ensuring that the original goals and intent of these recommendations were respected and honored during implementation.

The Unite U-46 process will continue in the fall of 2024, when participants will provide feedback and guidance on new districtwide attendance boundaries, which are planned to be finalized by May 2025. There will also be regular updates on the plan implementation and construction progress.

Please view the Unite U-46 community engagement session recordings, presentations, and summaries below. A summary report of the work is also available below.

To continue building upon the success of our initial Unite U-46 process, we promised to keep our community informed and involved. We held six sessions between June 2023 and May 2024, as part of the second phase of the Unite U-46 community engagement process. Below you will find the recordings of the Unite U-46 Phase 2 sessions.

Online Attendance Boundary Survey

In April-May 2024, an online community survey was conducted to better understand the perceptions of planning around attendance area boundaries in the district from those who live and work in the community. The community developed the boundary planning criteria in the survey through Phase 2 of the Unite U-46 process. There were 1,540 community members who completed the survey. Click here for the Boundary Survey Executive Summary.

May 8, 2024 - Attendance boundary recommendations for new middle school in Bartlett

English

May 8, 2024 - Video Recording (English)
May 8, 2024 - Presentation (English)
A Feedback Activity was included in this presentation, but it is now closed.

Español

8 de mayo, 2024 - Presentación (Español)
Actividad para someter sus comentarios (por favor de completar después de repasar la presentación)

Feb. 8, 2024 - Attendance boundary planning criteria and guidelines

English

Feb. 8, 2024 - Video Recording (English)
Feb. 8, 2024 - Presentation (English)
A Feedback Activity was included in this presentation, but it is now closed.

Español

8 de febrero, 2024 - Presentación (Español)
Actividad para someter sus comentarios (por favor de completar después de repasar la presentación)

Dec. 2, 2023 - Optimal Number of Elementary School Buildings in U-46

English

Dec. 2, 2023 - Video Recording (English)
Dec. 2, 2023 - Presentation (English)
Feedback Activity (please complete after viewing the recording of the session)

Español

2 de diciembre, 2023 - Presentación (Español)
Actividad para someter sus comentarios (por favor de completar después de repasar la presentación)

Nov. 2, 2023 - Elementary School Building Analysis & Priorities

English

Nov. 2, 2023 - Video Recording (English)
Nov. 2, 2023 - Presentation (English)
Feedback Activity (please complete after viewing the recording of the session)

Español

2 de noviembre, 2023 - Presentación (Español)
Actividad para someter sus comentarios (por favor de completar después de repasar la presentación)

Oct. 5, 2023 - Next Steps for U-46 Middle and Elementary Schools

English

Oct. 5, 2023 - Video Recording (English)
Oct. 5, 2023 - Presentation (English)
Feedback Activity (please complete after viewing the recording of the session)

Español

5 de octubre, 2023 - Presentación (Español)
Actividad para someter sus comentarios (por favor de completar después de repasar la presentación)

June 20, 2023 - Unite U-46 Plan Update

June 20, 2023 - Unite U-46 Update Video Recording (English)

Phase 3: Transitions-Construction & Boundaries

Unite U-46 Phase 3: Mapping our Future

Keeping our Board of Education and community updated on the Unite U-46 process is a priority for this to be a success.

On April 4, 2023, the community approved the district’s bond proposal allowing us to invest in our facilities. The approval of the bond proposal allows us to now take the necessary steps to improve our schools and make them an even better place for all students to learn and all teachers to teach.

This bond proposal was a recommendation by the Unite U-46 planning process.

The second phase of the Unite U-46 process kept the U-46 community informed and engaged as the plan, and projects were confirmed, ensuring the original goals and intent of recommendations were respected and honored during implementation.

In September 2024, we kicked off the third phase of the Unite U-46 process to seek feedback and guidance on new districtwide attendance boundaries, which were finalized in the Spring of 2025. The phase 3 sessions will also include regular updates on the plan's implementation and construction progress.

School Transition Meetings

These interactive presentations will be about our next steps forward to see what exciting experiences and learning await your child during their school transition after the 2025-26 school year. A schedule will be shared here soon for meetings planned in the fall of 2025.

Unite U-46 - Construction Updates

Click here to view the PDF presentation that included construction updates from the May 19, 2025, meeting.

Click here to watch the live presentation.

Unite U-46 - New Boundaries Approved

Click here to view the PDF presentation with updated boundary recommendations approved at the April 14, 2025, Board of Education meeting.

Click here to watch the live presentation.

Resources:

Updated Boundary Map

School Locator Tool

Boundary Exception Form

Unite U-46 Boundary Recommendations

Boundary Recommendations Update to the U-46 Board of Education on March 24, 2025

Click here for the recorded presentation
Click here for a copy of the presentation

Boundary Recommendations Update to the U-46 Board of Education on Feb. 24, 2025

Click here for the recorded presentation
Click here for a copy of the presentation
Click here for online boundary maps that show both current and proposed boundaries.
- (Use the "Select School Year" dropdown to toggle between the two.)

Preliminary Boundary Recommendations to the U-46 Board of Education on Dec. 9, 2024

Click here for the recorded presentation.
Click here for a copy of the presentation.
Click here to view the PDF maps of the preliminary boundary recommendations.
Click here to view the interactive map of the preliminary boundary recommendations (select from "Select School Year" dropdown menu "Proposed 2026-27")

Stakeholders were able to provide feedback on the preliminary boundaries.

Preliminary Boundary Recommendation Videos

Videos de Recomendaciones Preliminares de Límites

Winter 2024-25 Unite U-46 Sessions

Preliminary Attendance Boundary Recommendations

Our Unite U-46 plan is moving forward, and we gathered input on preliminary attendance boundary recommendations at five community open house sessions held in December 2024 and January 2025.

During those sessions, members of the community were invited to drop in to learn about the boundary recommendations, ask questions, and share feedback.

School District U-46 is organized into five networks, each composed of the elementary and middle schools that feed into one of our five high schools. Each session focused on a specific network, highlighting the schools within that group and their preliminary attendance boundary recommendations. Spanish interpreters were available at each session.

Elgin Network

High School: Elgin High School
Middle Schools: Ellis and Larsen
Elementary Schools: Channing, Coleman, Huff, Lincoln, Lords Park, McKinley, Ronald O'Neal, and Timber Trails

Bartlett Network

High School: Bartlett High School
Middle School: Eastview
Elementary Schools: Centennial, Horizon, Laurel Hill, Ontarioville, Prairieview, Spring Trail, and Sycamore Trails
Early Learning Center: Independence

Larkin Network

High School: Larkin High School
Middle Schools: Abbott and Kimball
Elementary Schools: Century Oaks, Creekside, Harriet Gifford, Hillcrest, Lowrie, and Washington
Early Learning Center: Illinois Park

Streamwood Network

High School: Streamwood High School
Middle Schools: Canton and Tefft
Elementary Schools: Glenbrook, Hanover Countryside, Heritage, Hilltop, Oakhill, Parkwood, Ridge Circle, and Sunnydale

South Elgin Network

High School: South Elgin High School
Middle Schools: Kenyon Woods and Eastview
Elementary Schools: Bartlett, Clinton, Fox Meadow, Liberty, Nature Ridge, Otter Creek, Wayne, and Willard

Facilities and Boundary Updates to the Community

Unite U-46 Session Key Summary - Oct. 1, 2024

(includes construction projects update, middle school transition options, and district boundary challenges and opportunities)

Resumen de los puntos claves de la sesión de Únete U-46 - 1 de octubre de 2024 (incluye un avance de los proyectos de construcción, y las opciones de transición de la escuela intermedia y los retos y oportunidades de los límites del distrito)

Attendance Boundaries Update - May 23, 2024

Informe sobre los límites de asistencia - 23 de mayo de 2024

Elementary School Facilities Update - Dec. 18, 2023

Informe sobre las instalaciones de escuela elemental - 18 de diciembre de 2023

Middle School Facilities Update - Sept. 18, 2023

Informe sobre las instalaciones de escuela intermedia - 18 de septiembre de 2023