District 97 Transformation Goals
District 97 is committed to continuous improvement in how we support students, families, and staff. Guided by our four Transformation Goals, this work reflects our shared values and our focus on equity, belonging, and student success.
Our new Transformation and Growth booklet brings this work together in one place. It offers a clear, high-level overview of the goals guiding learning, resource alignment, partnerships, and school culture across the district—and how those goals translate into action in our schools.
Explore the booklet in the format that works best for you:
Together, these goals serve as a roadmap for how District 97 will continue to learn, grow, and move forward—always centered on what matters most: our students.
If you have any questions or feedback, we encourage you to reach out to the D97 team via Let's Talk.
Accessibility Bote: The PDF version of the Transformation and Growth booklet is designed to be accessible and compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies. If you experience difficulty accessing this content or need the information in an alternative format, please contact the district for assistance.
1) We Learn, Lead, and Celebrate Together
We want to build a strong, positive school culture where everyone feels included and supported. This includes better communication and engagement with families and the community and providing professional learning opportunities for all staff.
2) We Design for All
Our goal is to make sure every student gets the support they need to succeed. We're focusing on improving how we teach at both elementary and middle schools, redesigning our middle schools to better support students’ growth, and helping students through important transitions, like moving from elementary to middle school.
3) We Align Resources
We’re committed to using our resources—like funding, staff, and facilities—wisely to support student success. This includes creating a long-term facilities plan to improve our schools and ensuring we have strong safety measures in place.
4) We Learn Everywhere
Learning isn’t just limited to the classroom! We’re helping students grow in many ways, including through our "Portrait of an Oak Park 8th Grade Graduate," which outlines the skills and qualities we want all students to have by the time they finish middle school. We’re also strengthening early childhood programs to give our youngest learners the best start possible.