A group of Polo schoolchildren enjoyed a ride to school in the Polo Police Department’s newly-acquired Humvee on May 21 after winning a local fundraising raffle.

Polo Community High School recently held a signing day for three of its student athletes who will be continuing their careers in college.

Registration for Montmorency School’s 2026-2027 school year will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8.

A lawyer for the St. Charles District 303 teachers union is asking a judge to dismiss a $100,00 defamation claim from a Campton Hills mortgage attorney, asserting that the complaint is retaliatory and intended to "chill the other party's rights," court records show.

Huntley High School‘s geometry construction students have built an outdoor classroom.

Putnam County High School has recognized its top 10 students of the 2025-2026 school year based on academic achievement.

Oregon High School Class of 2026 graduate Tucker O’Brien received this year’s Mt. Morris-Oregon Alumni Scholarship and the Mel Burkhalter Scholarship.

Former Dixonite Nick Lazaris, now of Philadelphia, donated copies of “Distinctive Dixon: Fascinating Stories of Dixon’s Rich History” to all 196 graduates of Ronald Reagan Middle School during graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 22.

McKinley Elementary School in Ottawa announced its May Champions of the Charter students.

Oregon High School held its Class of 2026 commencement ceremony Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon. A total of 113 students, including exchange students, took part in the event.

Dixon High School held its Class of 2026 graduation ceremony Sunday, May 24, 2026, on the high school football field.

Wabash College recently congratulated more than 400 students who were named to the spring 2026 dean’s list.

Salvador Figueroa took first place among competitors from 10 schools.

Graduating Oregon High School seniors Andrea Chavez-Jimenez and Daniel Gonzalez have each been awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Oregon Woman’s Club.

Byron High School Students of the Month for May were recently named.

The 40th annual Rochelle Township High School art show was held May 14, celebrating the creativity and accomplishments of student artists throughout the school year.

Illinois Valley Community College recently announced the establishment of the Starved Rock Historical and Educational Foundation’s first scholarship.

Montmorency Community School District in Rock Falls recently announced its eighth grade awards honorees.

Byron High School students of the month for April were recently named.

The Rochelle Township High School board on May 18 recognized retirees who will finish their careers this month.

Belmont University released the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester, with approximately 49% of the university’s 6,724 undergraduate students earning the academic recognition.

Belmont University released the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester, with approximately 49% of the university’s 6,724 undergraduate students earning the academic recognition.

Waltham Elementary School District issued its honor and high honor rolls for the third trimester of the 2025-26 school year.

A majority on the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees approved censuring a trustee for what they deemed violations of board policy when she spoke at a Joliet City Council meeting.

From Capitol News Illinois: As state lawmakers work to pass a school funding plan for the upcoming fiscal year, some are expressing frustration over how this year’s budget has been implemented

Clarke University recently announced that 222 students earned a spot on the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester.

From Capitol News Illinois: Senate Republicans are calling on their colleagues and the governor to opt into a federal school choice tax credit program.

Plainfield School District 202 is facing a multi-million dollar decrease in state funding for the coming school year due to its reclassification from a Tier 1 to Tier 2 status district.

Newman Central Catholic High School’s Class of 2026 graduated Wednesday, May 20, 2026, during a ceremony in the high school’s gym in Sterling.

Four Grundy Area Vocational Center students will get a head start on their post-high school careers, having signed on to work for local contractors as part of Carpenters Local 174's partnership with the GAVC.

Forreston High School held its annual honors night May 12.

The Oswego School Board approved hiring Adam Hurder at an annual base salary of $145,000.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 has hired Jose Jaramillo, a district graduate, as its new assistant superintendent for human resources.

Illinois Valley Community College announced the creation of the Roger Hustis Memorial Scholarship in honor of former Ottawa Dental Laboratory employee Roger Hustis.

The Learning Technology Center (LTC) will host its third annual LTC Gives Golf Outing on Aug. 3 at Prairie View Golf Course in Byron.

The Polo Lions Club recently awarded scholarships of $500 to 16 graduating seniors of Polo Community High School.

It’s not unusual to hear a mother cheering for her son at his college graduation, but for Mireya Leal Resendiz and Ali Salazar, the proud shouts and applause went both ways.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois General Assembly is considering extending unemployment benefits to public school support staff during the 10 to 11 weeks of summer break

The Board of Education of Meridian Community Unit School District 223 recently announced the appointment of Lisa Hilliard to fill the current vacancy on the board of education.

Raising concerns of being silenced and a lack of transparency, 2 Batavia School District 101 board members abruptly resigned. They argued district leaders have been unresponsive to parent and student concerns and have stifled their own attempts at facilitating meaningful change.

The Academy of St. Carlo Acutis Middle School issued its final honor and high honor rolls for the 2025-26 school year.

It was fitting that members of the groups who inspired her would be the ones to bring the news. Among the group who told Joyce Schamberger that she had been selected as the 2026 Sauk Valley Community College Distinguished Alumna were members of her family and the community.

The cost of all-sports passes for the Amboy School District is going up but tech and registration fees for students will remain the same for the 2026-27 school year.

Andrea Voss of Lindenwood was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Amanda Headon, daughter of Dr. Cassandra and Lance Headon of Rochelle, graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine with a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in May 2026.

Dede Ponto will retire this month after 33 years as a teacher in the Rochelle Elementary School District.

This summer, WQPT PBS invites families to join its “Summer of Adventure” tour, featuring guest appearances at library story times and community events throughout the region.

Central College in Pella hosted a Celebration of Undergraduate Inquiry to showcase the many research and creative projects by Central students during the 2025-26 academic year.

Members of the St. Charles East High School class of 2026 celebrate their commencement Monday.

Members of the St. Charles North High School class of 2026 celebrate their commencement Monday.