FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT OF
EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY

Because of its long industrial history and receptivity to other cultures, the city of Aurora had been, nationally, a standout for its ethnic diversity. Today one of West Aurora’s greatest strengths is educating young people whose native languages and familiar cultures are those of 45 countries from 6 continents.

Aurora University has been an important partner with West Aurora School District for more than a quarter century, sharing classroom space and student teachers. Currently SD129 elementary students are able to attend the STEM Partnership School on the Aurora University campus. In cooperation with Waubonsee Community College, West High students are able to take dual credit classes and obtain advanced certifications while still in high school. They make up the largest percentage of Waubonsee Community College enrollment in the region.

Well ahead of federal legislation (1975) to mandate education for children with disabilities, in 1971 West Aurora established, in partnership with East Aurora School District 131, Hope D. Wall Child Development Center, a school dedicated to children classified as trainable mentally handicapped. The first principal was Hope D. Wall, a pioneering special needs teacher. 

Education for learning disabled, behaviorally disordered and autistic students has been offered at every school in the district for nearly 50 years. Services to these students extend to the age of 22 through the Blackhawk Academy transition program.

The  Foundation for West Aurora Schools (1994) combined with the Alumni Association (2003) to become the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools in 2008. Both the Sports Boosters and the A+ Foundation have made financial contributions totaling millions of dollars to the high school and annually honor outstanding alumni through the Sports Hall of Fame and the West Aurora Hall of Honor.

In addition, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, channeling donations from alumni, community members, and private organizations such as the Dunham Fund, have provided hundreds of scholarships and grants to the District over decades.