From the Superintendent...

  • Greetings,
    It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Cary School District 26 webpage! The district and the Village of Cary are in McHenry and Lake Counties, in northeastern Illinois. District 26 resides in an area of 12.25 square miles with a current enrollment of approximately 2,500 students, including early learning (PK) through 8th grade. The amazing community of Cary rests outside of Chicago, with many residents traveling via the Metra commuter train line to the city and neighboring suburbs. Cary’s residents pride themselves on believing that educating our children is of the utmost importance. The Village has a bustling and well-maintained park district, serving many youth sporting organizations and providing opportunities for families and community members to be active.

    To ensure that the district is positioned to educate students to the highest standards, the board and district staff will engage in strategic planning work during the 2023–24 school year to ensure we align our work to community expectations and the needs of our students as we move into the next five years. Cary 26 celebrates supporting all students, embracing the diversity and richness of the students and families that make up this amazing community, and understanding the need to continuously plan, monitor, and adjust to ensure a rich and robust educational opportunity for all.

    Cary 26 comprises five buildings, including one early childhood center, three elementary schools, and one junior high school. The safety and well-being of both students and staff are important to the district and school board. The district continues to employ outstanding teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and other staff members who provide a world-class education to the students of Cary. Our staff is not only committed to our students but also to continuous professional growth and ongoing collaboration to ensure that we implement the best instructional practices in our classrooms.

    The district’s facilities are well maintained to ensure a productive and caring environment that is highly conducive to learning. Our office personnel, bus drivers, and educational support staff take great pride in providing valuable services and assistance to our students, parents, and community members.

    Parental support and engagement in the educational process are crucial to the success of educating our students. The strong home/school partnerships present in Cary 26 is one of our keys to success. When parents are involved in their children’s education, the children excel. We value the relationship we have with our Parent-Teacher organizations, composed of dedicated and engaged parents that work to provide support, activities, and a community environment at each of our schools.

    Please take this opportunity to visit the rest of our website, which showcases the amazing talents, skills, dedication, and work of both our students and staff, as well as the work and dedication of our Board of Education. The district is extremely proud of our various programs and facilities, and most importantly, of our students.

    Thank you for visiting our website! Please feel free to contact the district via email at district26@cary26.org or at 224-357-5100.

    Respectfully,
    A close up of a sign with Wanamaker's in the backgroundDescription automatically generated with low confidence
    Brandon C. White, Ph.D.
    Superintendent