U-46 hosts open houses for high school academies

Elgin Area School District U-46 is hosting a series of open houses for parents and students interested in the district's five high school academies.

The events are open to students and parents in the eighth grade. They will be held at each of the district's five high schools at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 28 and 30. The five academies are as follows:

• The Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin. Majors include dance, music, visual art and drama.

• The World Languages and International Studies Academy at Streamwood High School, 701 West Schaumburg Road, Streamwood. The curriculum includes foreign languages, social studies, technology and global business.

• The Science, Engineering and Technology Academy at Bartlett High School, 701 Schick Road, Bartlett. The focus is on laboratory work.

• The Gifted and Talented Academy at Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. Students are encouraged to pursue independent study, mentorships and internships.

• Broadcast, Education and Communication Networks at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St., South Elgin. Topics include broadcast journalism, web design and audio/video production.

Any U-46 eighth grader can apply for admission into an academy. More information is available at u-46.org/academy.

U-46 hosts meetings for 2015 plan: U-46 officials unveiled a draft of the district's "Destination 2015" plan at last week's school board meeting.

The plan sets ambitious five-year goals for the district in student achievement and finances. But the draft plan is just that - a draft - and officials hope to refine the document after a series of meetings with key stakeholders.

U-46 educators will present the plan and gather feedback at the following meetings (language indicated in parentheses): Sept. 25, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Elgin High School library (Spanish); Oct. 5, 6 to 7 p.m., Bartlett High School library (English); Oct. 7, 6 to 7 p.m., Elgin High library (English with Spanish translation available); Oct. 12, 6 to 7 p.m. (Spanish) and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (English), Larkin High School library; Oct. 19, 6 to 7 p.m. (English) and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Spanish), Elgin High library; Oct. 26, 6 to 7 p.m. (English), South Elgin High library; Oct. 27, 6 to 7 p.m. (Spanish) and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (English), Streamwood High School library; Oct. 29, 4 to 5 p.m. (English), online session.

The plan can be viewed at u-46.org.