Pekin Public Schools District 108
501 Washington St. • Pekin
(309) 477-4740 • www.pekin.net
There are many reasons the Pekin school system is one of the best in the area and has earned the respect and high regard of the education community. Serving approximately 3,700 students on 11 campuses, District 108 is acknowledged throughout Illinois as a high-quality school system for students in preschool through eighth grade. Employees in the district have been recognized locally and at the state level for quality in teaching and learning.
The district values training, using it to encourage both individual and organizational innovation and excellence. The district also values customer feedback, using it to guide improvement efforts.
Student performance in reading, writing and mathematics rates above achievement goals set by the State of Illinois as reflected in school report cards. Students demonstrate extracurricular success by capturing state and world competition titles (band, Suzuki orchestra, Scholastic Bowl, athletics, Destination Imagination and Young Authors).
Among the list of District 108’s awards and accolades are several National Blue Ribbon School Awards, Illinois Spotlight School Awards, Illinois Academic Improvement Awards, Academic Excellence Awards and the Lincoln Award for the Achievement of Excellence.
District 108 is committed to a technologically integrated working environment for its students and staff. Parental involvement is also fostered through the use of online parent access to student information and easy communication with teachers. With such a strong focus on technology, the typical classroom has computer workstations, a teacher workstation, a printer, Internet access, a document camera and a SMARTBoard.
Pekin Community High School District 303
1903 Court St. • Pekin
(309) 347-410 • www.pekinhigh.net
As one of the largest downstate high schools, the PCHS park-like campus occupies 125 acres in the heart of Pekin. Including the Holman Tech Ed Center, the main campus buildings cover approximately 550,000 square feet. The school serves over 1,800 students in its 133 classrooms, a newly-renovated 10,000-square-foot Learning Commons, a foreign language lab and the F.M. Peterson Theater, which seats 600. It also includes an eight-lane swimming pool and two gymnasiums. The facility is considered one of the premier school facilities in the Midwest.
Every classroom is fully integrated with technology. The high school offers blended, flipped and online classes. PCHS also transitioned to a one-to-one environment in 2018, with a Chromebook issued to every student.
Designed to engage, prepare and empower all students, the academic program is extensive and diverse. During their academic career, students have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of courses in both core and elective areas. College prep students will also find a variety of advanced placement, dual-credit and early college courses that help prepare them for entrance into selective universities.
Career and Technical Education courses prepare youth for a wide range of careers, from child care, registered nursing, business, culinary arts, imaging, engineering, JROTC, computer technician, to manufacturing and construction. The CTE program provides students with college dual credit, advanced placement, certification, or the background to easily transition into a career or post-high school training and education. The school offers 56 CTE courses taught by 20 qualified teachers. The extensive number of extracurricular programs and diverse, rigorous curricula allow students to excel in the classroom and beyond.
PCHS students have the option to participate in more than 20 interscholastic sports and more than 25 other clubs and activities. Students also have earned national recognition in band, choral music and speech/debate. The school is represented in many state and national level competitions every year. In addition, students have the opportunity to seek and obtain internships at area companies and businesses.
The PCHS mission: “In partnership with the community, we engage, prepare and empower our students for a lifetime of success through diverse opportunities.”
PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL OPTIONS
Pekin parents also have access to several excellent parochial elementary schools as an alternative to public education. They include Faith Baptist Christian School, Good Shepherd Lutheran School, St. Joseph Catholic School and Tomorrow’s Hope Christian Academy. These schools each offer a well-rounded education program based on a religious foundation.
Pekin is also home to a number of high-quality, licensed preschool and child-care centers.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Continuing the excellent educational foundation set here, top-quality higher education is within easy commuting distance.
- Just across the river in Peoria, you’ll find Bradley University, the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Robert Morris College and two four-year nursing colleges.
- Illinois Central College, a two-year community college, enables students to reach their educational potential and serves as a resource for the educational and cultural needs of the community. ICC has three area campuses, including one in Pekin, and offers student housing at its East Peoria location.
- There are at least 10 additional colleges, universities and institutions of higher learning within a 45-minute drive of Pekin.
COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Pekin Public Library
301 S. 4th St. • Pekin
(309) 347-7111 • www.pekinpubliclibrary.org
The Pekin Public Library serves as the community’s information center and gathering place. Library cards are free to city residents, as the library is a municipal entity.
Services include free programs for all ages, Wi-Fi, public-use computers with access to the internet and word processing programs with printing capabilities, CDs, current movie titles on DVD, large-print books, electronic books and downloadable videos, a used book sale room and a local history room.
The library also has meeting rooms and copy machines, and is a passport acceptance facility. Staffed with friendly, knowledgeable employees, the library is a wonderful resource for residents looking for a good book or trying to find information. In 2016, the library completed an extensive $5.6 million facility renovation that modernized the building and utilizes space more effectively.
Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society
719 N. Eleventh St. • Pekin
(309) 477-3044 • www.tcghs.org
The Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit library. Located in the Ehrlicher Research Center, the library houses over 10,000 books – including local histories, family histories and many other genealogical records. The library also has access to millions of online records from all over the globe.
Tazewell County Museum
15 S. Capital St. • Pekin • (309) 840-0177
www.tazewellcountymuseum.com
The Tazewell County Museum is dedicated to the preservation and protection of historic sites, buildings and artifacts important in the development of Tazewell County. The museum has on display items ranging from mammoth teeth and bones to memorabilia donated by Pekin native and NASA Astronaut Commander Scott Altman.
Dirksen Congressional Center
2815 Broadway St. • Pekin
(309) 347-7113 • www.dirksencenter.org
The Dirksen Congressional Center promotes research and scholarship to advance the public understanding of the U.S. Congress. A non-partisan, non-for-profit organization, The Center:
- Maintains nearly 4,000 linear feet of historical materials, including the papers of Everett McKinley Dirksen, Robert H. Michel, Ray LaHood and 200 smaller collections.
- Awards $50,000 each year to congressional scholars, disbursing nearly 500 grants totaling $1,130,000 since 1978.
- Funds special projects (publications, scholarships and workshops).
- Invests in partnerships with the Institute for Principled Leadership at Bradley University, the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress, the Legislative Studies Section of the American Political Science Association and the Congressional Leaders Series at the University Press of Kansas.