July 15, 2023

We hope you are having a great summer! Even though school is out, the Barrington High School campus is buzzing with activity. Thanks to our community's support of the Build 220 initiative, students and staff will return to school in August to see significant improvements both on the outside and inside of the building. Check out the latest updates below:

• Construction is underway to reconfigure the front parking lot on the south side of the building. Beginning this fall, drivers will no longer have to drive around the entire building to exit the campus. Instead, the front parking lot will connect to the Hart Road parking lot on the west side. Next month BHS will provide more details about traffic flow for the start of the school year. Click here to view a rendering!

• Construction continues this month on the new front atrium addition, which will be a commons area that serves as a flexible learning space, as well as a place where students can eat lunch, meet in groups or work on individual projects. It is anticipated to be completed after the start of the 2023-24 school year. Click here to view video inside!

• Construction is underway in the athletic/physical education wing of the high school, where there will be a new auxiliary gym, weight room, fitness center, and dance studio. These projects are anticipated to be completed by the start of the 2023-24 school year. Click here to view video!

• Construction is underway on the lower level of the building, in order to create a dedicated Student Services area which will include counseling, attendance, health services, and the dean's office. This new area will improve the student experience by making it easier for students to access these services in a central location. These projects are anticipated to be completed by the start of the 2023-24 school year. Click here to view video of the new Health Services Office! Click here to view video of office spaces for counseling, attendance, and the dean's office!

• Construction is now underway on a new state-of-the-art culinary arts lab that will be located near the coffee bar in the current commons area. This is anticipated to be ready by the start of the 2023-24 school year. Click here to view video!

• Construction crews are expanding the high school's main entrance, which is located at Door 45 (just west of the new front atrium addition). The newly renovated entrance will include a new reception area and an exterior canopy that helps guide visitors to the entrance. It is anticipated to be completed by the start of the school year. 

• DLA Architects are currently reviewing stakeholder feedback collected this past spring about the fine arts spaces at BHS. They are developing design options this summer for the Board of Education to consider in the fall.

Arnett C. Lines Elementary STEM Lab

Barbara B. Rose Elementary STEM Lab

North Barrington Elementary STEM Lab

Construction is also underway this summer at the last four schools in the district. Beyond increased safety and security measures, as well as general repairs and maintenance, the following key projects will be completed at each school.

• Arnett C. Lines Elementary: The third floor will be renovated to include a new STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology, Math) lab, an art room, and an extended classroom. Construction is also underway on the main level on a new sensory room for students and teacher's lounge. Construction is anticipated to be completed in the fall. Click here to view photos/video!

• Barbara B. Rose Elementary: A new STEM lab will be constructed using a portion of the current outdoor courtyard. It is anticipated to be completed this winter. A new sensory room for students will also be created next to the library. It is anticipated to be ready for the start of the 2023-24 school year. Click here to view photos/video!

• North Barrington Elementary: A new STEM lab will be constructed using a portion of the current outdoor courtyard. It is anticipated to be completed this winter. A new sensory room for students will also be created next to the library. It is anticipated to be ready for the start of the 2023-24 school year. Click here to view photos/video!

• Barrington Early Learning Center: Constructed in 2010, improvements at the Early Learning Center primarily include safety and security upgrades, which will be completed for the start of the 2023-24 school year.

Please join us for a virtual Parent University about Barrington 220's Extended Services Program on Monday, August 14, 2023. The presentation will be in English from 6:00-7:00pm, and an identical presentation will be in Spanish from 7:00-8:00pm. During this virtual session, the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development will provide an overview of the upcoming Extended Services Program review. This is a great opportunity to hear about the program review and learn how you can become involved. This Parent University is open to ALL Barrington 220 families. Your child does not have to be in Extended programming in order for you to attend. Click here to register!

Throughout the 2023-24 school year, Barrington 220 will celebrate its 50th anniversary! In 1973 the district officially became a pre-K thru 12 unit school district. The district is currently looking for local businesses that would like to join us in celebrating this important milestone. If your business is interested in participating, please fill out this form.

Last month the Board of Education approved the district's new strategic plan, Framework 220, which will guide the district's work over the next few years. The plan consists of six strategic priorities that were developed through a community engagement process over the past year. Within each priority, there are measurable objectives that were established through a collaborative effort between district leaders and staff members. Click here to learn more about Framework 220.