CARBONDALE: A PLACE TO LEARN
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ducation is a cornerstone of Carbondale at all levels. Each educational institution, from prekindergarten to the university level, offers programs and opportunities to challenge, inspire, and equip students for success. A variety of school systems, both public and private, work to educate students.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Elementary, and Jr. High school students are served by Carbondale Elementary District 95, Giant City School District 130, Unity Point Consolidated School District 140 and the DeSoto Community Consolidated School District 86. Carbondale Elementary District 95 serves students within most of the city limits. The Giant City and Unity Point districts serve students residing south of the Southern Illinois University campus. Nearby DeSoto, to the north of Carbondale, is served by Desoto School. Students from all four districts attend Carbondale Community High School District No. 165. Each district is administered by its own superintendent and board of education. CARBONDALE ELEMENTARY DISTRICT 95 With more than 125 teachers and 30 support staff, Carbondale Elementary District 95 educates more than 1,300 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The district is very proud of the rich cultural diversity of both its student and staff populations, which reflect that of the community as a whole. Many of the staff hold degrees at the master’s or doctoral level, and numerous teachers and specialists have been recognized on the state and national levels as outstanding educators. Facilities, curriculum, and programs are regularly evaluated to assure students are getting the best education possible. Students have regular access to computer laboratories and other technology, to make sure that they are ready to compete in today’s world. Education in the Carbondale Elementary School District is not all about books. Students have the opportunity to explore music, drama, career education, athletics, and foreign languages. Many students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including science and history fairs, fine arts, sports, environmental efforts, and more. The district has been honored with national awards for both students and teachers including recognition in history, science, math, and reading and distinguished performance in standardized testing.
Amy Fox, The City of Carbondale
Carbondale Elementary School District 95
GIANT CITY SCHOOL Giant City School is located a few miles south of Carbondale off the Giant City Blacktop. Giant City School serves approximately 200 students in a rural, family-style setting. Our highly qualified staff is dedicated to helping all students become well-rounded citizens. This quality elementary school provides a variety of opportunities for students and families from age two through the 8th grade. Giant City offers students an engaging environment that challenges their academic, creative, and intra-personal intelligence. Giant City’s high academic achievement for all students reflects our commitment to creating partnerships with our students and families. Each student benefits from the daily curriculum in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education, and technology. In 2018, Giant City School was awarded as a National Blue Ribbon of Excellence School by the US Department of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education. Giant City School was honored to be named among the top ½ of 1% of all schools in the nation! The Giant City Board of Education demonstrates a continued pursuit of excellence by supporting the district vision: “Inspiring Our Students.” Innovative technological upgrades are evident in every classroom, while Maker Spaces renovations are complete in the Media Center. Creative spaces such as these will let children experiment and invent and create. The Board of Education has worked consistently to maintain a wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities for students in the arts, and athletics.
The district offers an on-site daycare that works cooperatively with the Southern Region Early Childhood Program to provide wrap-around services. The district also offers after-school care for school-age students, as well as student care for our community at large, during the summer months. Giant City benefits from several positive communities and parent-led organization partnerships such as Southern Illinois Healthcare, the SIU School of Medicine, the Jackson County Health Department, our own Giant City School Progress Association, and Booster Club. These collaborations extend and enrich the environment provided for our students and families. Giant City feels a strong sense of commitment to our educational mission and is thankful to be a part of such a fantastic community in the Southern Illinois area. DESOTO COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT # 86 The DeSoto Community Consolidated School District #86, better known as DeSoto Grade School (DGS), is a feeder school district to CCHS District 165. The size of DGS makes it an attractive school for many families. There are less than 20 students per class on average. This ideal student to teacher ratio allows students to get excellent hands-on, individualized instruction from 20 certified staff members. The nearly 200 students in grades K-8 have direct access to Chromebooks in a 1:1 environment. In addition to their core classes, DGS students also have opportunities to receive instruction on drones, 3-D printing, gardening, iPad apps, carbondalechamber.com 11
