Illinois Green Ribbon
Illinois Green Ribbon Honoree
Kildeer Countryside School District 96 has been recognized as a 2025 Illinois Green Ribbon Honoree on behalf of Illinois Green Alliance and the Illinois State Board of Education. This recognition is a result of KCSD96's extensive initiatives aimed at improving environmental impact and operational costs, enhancing student and staff health and wellness, and integrating sustainability into its vision. Through innovative practices and strong community partnerships, the district has established itself as a leader in sustainability across the region, and we believe, across the country.
KCSD96 Identity
Nature and the environment are deeply ingrained in the identity and branding of KCSD96. Our seven schools are nestled within the picturesque and natural landscapes of Lake County, Illinois, renowned for its wetlands and stunning parks. Some of our schools are even situated adjacent to these wetlands, which are protected natural areas.
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that we’re less than 30 miles away from the sprawling metropolis of Chicago. Our schools are even named after our beautiful native landscapes, including Willow Grove, Country Meadows, Prairie, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, Twin Groves, and Woodlawn.
One of the first things that greets our families is our district logo– reflecting our commitment to nature, incorporating various shades of green and brown and creatively using two leaves to form the number "96."
Renewable Energy & Dashboard
KCSD96 has made a bold commitment to renewable energy, particularly through its solar energy initiatives. Back in 2016, the KCSD96 Board of Education decided to pursue solar panels, reflecting a long-term investment in clean energy that will continue to benefit our community in the coming years. Those panels were energized in 2020. The Woodlawn and Country Meadows campuses stand as highlights of this effort, with 80-85% of their energy needs met through on-site solar generation. Across the district, solar power supplies approximately 25-30% of total energy consumption, with additional energy procured from renewable sources through cooperative agreements.
The district utilizes a solar tracking website to monitor energy production and consumption, showcasing real-time data on energy savings and environmental impact.
Efficiency & Conservation
To improve energy efficiency, KCSD96 has upgraded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting systems throughout the district with high-efficiency models, including LED lighting. Automated systems, such as motion-sensitive lights and toilet flushers, further optimize energy and water usage by minimizing waste. Additionally, the district participates in the Constellation Energy Cooperative, securing competitive energy rates and achieving significant cost savings.
Water conservation is another key focus for the district. Toilets have been updated to reduce water usage from 5 gallons per flush to 2.5 gallons. KCSD96 also avoids irrigation altogether, relying instead on native plants and trees that are well-adapted to the region’s climate and natural rainfall patterns.
The district employs eco-friendly practices by refraining from the use of harmful pesticides and implementing natural methods to reduce weeds and the need for fertilizers, such as cutting grass to longer lengths. Recycling is also a priority, with efforts focused on the safe and responsible disposal of paper, light bulb and battery materials. Since the early 2000s, KCSD96 has further demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by adopting “paperless” communication practices across teachers, principals, and district operations.
Student Wellness & Wellbeing
Our environmentally-conscious practices don’t stop there. To support wellness, students enjoy daily physical education classes and outdoor recess (weather permitting), promoting fitness, teamwork, and unstructured play. State-of-the-art fitness centers at middle schools, coupled with programs like heart rate monitoring and nutrition education, help students build lifelong healthy habits. Additionally, we partner with a food service provider for school meals to not only nourish the body, but also include eco-friendly packaging with the goal of minimizing food waste. For staff, wellness programs encourage physical and mental well-being, creating a healthier school community overall.
KCSD96 weaves sustainability into its curriculum at all grade levels. Students engage in outdoor learning through dedicated spaces like Prairie School’s outdoor classroom and visits to the district’s solar field, where they learn about renewable energy firsthand. These hands-on learning experiences cultivate environmental literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, preparing students to address real-world sustainability challenges. The district has also made a significant push in its STEM-curriculum efforts, and opened its new Collaboratory learning space at Twin Groves Middle School in the fall of 2024. This space offers a unique area for students to engage in STEM-related projects in its makerspace, noisy lab, and recording studios. So far this year, students have designed efficient bridges and created organic art projects using this area.
The solar panels have also fostered cross-curricular learning opportunities. For instance, middle school students observe and analyze solar energy data to understand the practical applications of clean energy, while art classes utilize the panels as a canvas for creative projects featuring local flora and fauna. This integration of sustainability into both STEM and the arts highlights KCSD96’s innovative approach to environmental education.