District 47 Boundaries

• More information can be found on our website:
  • Interactive maps to see how your address is affected
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), updated as we receive questions
• Learning more about the two recommendations:
  • Board meeting information presentations: July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19. Meetings are held at the CORE Center, 300 Commerce Drive, Crystal Lake and or join virtually via Zoom.
  • Newsletters will provide updates and answers to questions
  • The website will be frequently updated based on feedback and questions from the Board of Education and community
• How to provide feedback or ask a question:
  • Fill out the feedback/question form on the boundary website page, d47.org/boundaries.
  • In September, a community-wide survey will be conducted to gather feedback on the options and priorities for the Board of Education to consider.

Maintaining balanced student enrollment across our schools is crucial for providing equitable access to resources, facilities, and educational opportunities. District 47 is reviewing current boundaries in an effort to balance enrollment, offer a cohesive K-12 experience, consistent access to programs, improve transportation efficiency, and keep students at their home schools whenever possible. This initiative is focused on the long-term stability for our schools, and ultimately, to better support our students

• Establish contiguous boundaries, utilizing natural divisions between neighborhoods as attendance lines 
• Prioritize reducing the time spent on buses for students to minimize transportation costs
• Equitable class size across the district
• Take demographic considerations into account to ensure student academic, social, and mental health needs are met at each school, including considerations of educational programming
• Plan boundaries with longevity in mind, anticipating possible changes in the future to remain stable for as long as possible, minimizing the need for major construction projects and associated fiscal costs
• Facilitate a cohesive K-12 experience by ensuring as many schools as possible have students progress as a cohort from one grade level to the next, maximizing student connectivity with their peers
• Create a second centrally located site for PreK in order to reduce bus transportation times for early childhood students who live in our northern boundaries

At the December 16, 2024 Board of Education meeting, the Board voted 6-0 to approve Option 1 of the boundary changes recommended by the boundary committee. Click the link to read the full details. These middle school boundary changes were implemented for the 2025-2026 school year.

January 2025-May 2026

• The committee moved into phase two, which focuses on reviewing elementary school boundaries. The committee met monthly between January 2025-May 2026 to discuss potential adjustment options.

May 2026

• Feedback Opportunity: We’re offering another opportunity for you to share any feedback or questions you may have.

July 2026

• The committee will begin sharing boundary adjustment options with the community during this period. Feedback is welcome throughout and will be shared with the Board of Education, with questions addressed on an ongoing basis.
• Board of Education Meetings: Dr. Hinz will begin presenting information on the boundary adjustment recommendations at the Board of Education meetings starting in July.

August 2026

• Continued communication with staff, families, and community members, with ongoing opportunities to share information and respond to feedback.

September 2026

• A community-wide survey will be conducted to gather feedback on the options and priorities for the Board of Education to consider.

October 2026

• A final comprehensive presentation will be shared with the Board of Education, including community feedback and discussion.

November 2026

• The Board of Education will make a decision on elementary boundaries at the November meeting.

Moving forward:

• The timeline doesn’t end after a decision is made by the Board of Education. For families impacted by the change, schools will provide opportunities to connect, meet staff, and build a sense of belonging. We are committed to ensuring every student feels supported and welcomed in their new school community.

• Boundary adjustments approved by the Board of Education will go into effect for the 2027-2028 school year.
   

Elementary Boundary Feedback May 2026

Summary

The feedback from participants regarding middle school boundary adjustments reveals a strong emphasis on maintaining continuity and stability for students, ensuring proximity and efficient transportation, managing class sizes for quality education, supporting social and emotional well-being, and applying logical school assignment boundaries. 

Categories

Continuity and Stability:
Participants emphasized the importance of continuity in their children's education. This includes staying with the same group of peers from elementary through high school, avoiding mid-year school changes, and ensuring that siblings attend the same schools. 

Proximity and Transportation:
Many participants highlighted the importance of attending schools close to home to minimize travel time and ensure safety. Walking distance to schools and shorter bus rides were frequently mentioned. The perception is that proximity to school not only makes logistical sense but also supports better family routines and reduces stress for both students and parents.

Class Size and Quality of Education:
Class size was a significant concern, with many participants advocating for smaller classes to ensure better individual attention and higher quality education. Participants also expressed a desire for equitable distribution of resources and teaching staff across schools.

Social and Emotional Well-being:
Participants are deeply concerned about the social and emotional impact of boundary changes on their children. The importance of maintaining friendships and familiar social networks was frequently mentioned.

This will depend on the recommendation approved by the Board of Education. Details about special requests will be shared after a decision is made in November.

No. School district boundaries are set by the county when a development is created. Attendance is determined by the school district where property taxes are paid. These district boundaries are set outside of our local boundary process, only District 47 attendance area boundaries are under review, not district lines.

There is a feedback form on the website boundary page where you can share your questions or feedback. 

No matter what decision is approved by the Board of Education, schools will provide opportunities to connect, meet staff, and build a sense of belonging for students and families. We are committed to ensuring every student feels supported and welcomed in their new school community. 

In a grade-level center model, principals from the paired schools would work closely together to help students and families transition between buildings, get to know families across both school communities, and attend school events when possible.

• Students entering 5th grade in the 2027-2028 school year may request to remain at their current school. Transportation will be the responsibility of the family. 
• Why can’t we do a slow roll-out: 
  • It requires running two systems at the same time, which complicates staffing, scheduling, and more.
  • It delays the intended benefits of the change, such as balanced enrollment and expansion of programs.
  • It can be harder to implement consistently across buildings, especially as students move between grade levels.

New bus routes will be determined after a decision is approved by the Board of Education.

Both recommendations will ensure that every child has the same quality of school experience, regardless of which building they attend. Professional development for staff and instruction for students can be more focused potentially leading to more growth.

District 47 will be able to run more efficiently, the money saved can be put back into school improvements that directly benefit students and do not increase taxes. 

If grade-level centers move forward, paired schools would work closely together to continue offering these opportunities. If a language academy moves forward, these opportunities will continue largely unchanged.

Examples of local districts using grade-level centers include Huntley Community School District 158, McHenry School District 15, and Glenview School District 34. This is not a comprehensive list.

No matter what decision is approved by the Board of Education, schools will provide opportunities to connect, meet staff, and build a sense of belonging for students and families. We are committed to ensuring every student feels supported and welcomed in their new school community.

In a grade-level center model, principals from the paired schools would work closely together to help students and families transition between buildings, get to know families across both school communities, and attend school events when possible.

The Board of Education will vote on elementary boundary adjustments during the November 16, 2026 Board meeting. Please refer to the Timeline tab for more information on each step in the process for the 2026-2027 school year.

Elementary boundary adjustment options recommended by the boundary committee will be shared with the community in July, 2026.

It requires running two systems at the same time, which complicates staffing, scheduling, and more. It delays the intended benefits of the change, such as balanced enrollment and expansion of programs. It can also be harder to implement consistently across buildings, especially as students move between grade levels.

While typical school boundary changes involve simply shifting adjacent subdivisions, District 47 faces a unique challenge due to Route 14 acting as a strict natural transportation barrier. To ensure student safety, the district cannot ask elementary students to walk across this major highway, effectively cutting off under-capacity southern schools from the increasing enrollment the massive new housing developments and apartment complexes popping up on the north and east sides of Crystal Lake. Moving students south is essential to balance class sizes and free up central building space for pre-K and specialized program classes.

Maintaining balanced student enrollment across our schools is crucial for providing equitable access to resources, facilities, and educational opportunities. The District is reviewing current boundaries in an effort to offer a cohesive K-12 experience, consistent access to programs, improve transportation efficiency, and keep students at their home schools whenever possible.

Yes. Questions and themes raised throughout the boundary review process were shared with the committee, addressed through ongoing discussions, and helped inform the recommendations. 

Feedback received through the website form is shared with the Board of Education and will be considered as they make their decision on the recommendations.

In September, a community-wide survey will be conducted to gather feedback on the options and priorities for the Board of Education to consider.

If grade-level centers are approved, yes. School start and end times may shift slightly due to transportation needs. Staggered schedules would still allow siblings to be picked up and dropped off at the same time.