About District 101

Engage. Inspire. Empower.

Our Vision

Grow each child to their fullest potential to create inquisitive and reflective life-long learners.

Reach beyond comfort zones to encourage responsible risk-taking and generate perseverance and resiliency in our children.

Own and advocate for innovative and effective learning experiences to foster the development of positive academic, social, and emotional skills.

Work together to create collaborative, compassionate children who enrich our community.

Our Values...

STRONG ACADEMICS:  Maintain & support comprehensive, best-in-class curriculum & instructional practices designed to generate individual growth & achievement.

POSITIVE, ENGAGING & SAFE ENVIRONMENT:  Foster an exceptional, welcoming & safe learning environment for all.

TALENT RECRUITMENT & DEVELOPMENT:  Secure & retain top talent across D101.

FINANCIAL & FACILITIES STEWARDSHIP:  Responsibly maintain & adapt our facilities to support today's students' learning needs.

Our District

A Place Where Children Thrive

Western Springs School District 101 is an elementary school district located in the central Cook County village of Western Springs, Illinois, which is a Chicago suburb. The District is comprised of three elementary schools and one junior high school, and serves approximately 1,400 students.

Western Springs Boundaries

Western Springs School District 101 Boundaries

Field Park Elementary

Field Park Elementary

Forest Hills Elementary

Forest Hills Elementary

Laidlaw Elementary

Laidlaw Elementary

McClure Junior High

McClure Junior High

Our History

The people and personalities change, but the deep commitment of the Western Springs’ people in supporting their schools and in maintaining a high quality of education has never waivered.”

~ Former Superintendent Maurice Clark, 1977

As just one of many learning experiences for our new elective, Curious City: Western Springs Edition, our 14 curious 8th-graders chose to explore the life, times, and legacy of D101 buildings, people, and stories. It is with great excitement that our determined Bulldog historians invite you to see our work and join our quest to assemble an accurate, engaging, and“living” story of the D101 experience.

2023 8th grade historians

Freedom Of Information Act

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act [5 ILCS 140] provides public access to government documents and records. This Act defines public records as "all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body."

Some records are not subject to release via the FOIA process. These types of records are described under 5 ILCS 140, Section 7 (1) (a) thru (y). Additionally, some records may be subject to confidentiality provisions imposed by other state statutes. The FOIA process for disclosure of information does not supercede these other applicable statutory and judicial mandates.

Requests for information via the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) should be forwarded in writing to the District's FOIA Officer, Dr. Brian Barnhart at bbarnhart@d101.org, or by mail to:

Board of Education Office
4225 Wolf Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558

 Fees

Persons making a request for copies of public records must pay any and all applicable fees. The Freedom of Information Officer shall establish a fee schedule that complies with FOIA and this policy and is subject to the Board’s review. The fee schedule shall include copying fees and all other fees to the maximum extent they are permitted by FOIA, including without limitation, search and review fees for responding to a request for a commercial purpose and fees, costs, and personnel hours in connection with responding to a voluminous request.

Copying fees, except when fixed by statute, shall be reasonably calculated to reimburse the District’s actual cost for reproducing and certifying public records and for the use, by any person, of its equipment to copy records. In no case shall the copying fees exceed the maximum fees permitted by FOIA. If the District’s actual copying costs are equal to or greater than the maximum fees permitted by FOIA, the Freedom of Information Officer is authorized to use FOIA’s maximum fees as the District’s fees. No copying fees shall be charged for: (1) the first 50 pages of black and white, letter or legal sized copies, or (2) electronic copies other than the actual cost of the recording medium, except if the response is to a voluminous request, as defined in FOIA.

A fee reduction is available if the request qualifies under Section 6 of FOIA. The Freedom of Information Officer shall set the amount of the reduction taking into consideration the amount of material requested and the cost of copying it.