Congratulations to our incredible student-athletes on their outstanding performances at the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games State Track & Field Championships!
Edison Middle School students Markeith Taylor and Arianna Williams, along with Centennial High School student Jake Jones, all competed and placed in the state tournament.
Markeith earned a gold medal in the Mini Javelin Throw. Arianna earned a gold medal in the Mini Javelin Throw and a silver medal in the 200-Meter Run. Jake earned a gold medal in the 100-Meter Run.
We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and grateful to the families, coaches, and staff who supported them every step of the way. Congratulations!
Edison Middle School students Markeith Taylor and Arianna Williams, along with Centennial High School student Jake Jones, all competed and placed in the state tournament.
Markeith earned a gold medal in the Mini Javelin Throw. Arianna earned a gold medal in the Mini Javelin Throw and a silver medal in the 200-Meter Run. Jake earned a gold medal in the 100-Meter Run.
We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and grateful to the families, coaches, and staff who supported them every step of the way. Congratulations!






Happy 250th birthday, America!



A huge thank you to Chet and Diane Fall for their generous $25,000 donation supporting Infinite Possibilities, a public art project created by students in the Unit 4 YES Program.
Over the next five weeks, Unit 4 high school students will gain hands-on welding experience while working alongside local artist Greg Stallmeyer and Centennial welding instructor Chris Storm to bring this inspiring sculpture to life. Through this work-based learning opportunity, students are developing valuable career skills, expressing their creativity, and leaving a lasting mark on our community.
The sculpture's name, Infinite Possibilities, reflects the limitless potential of our students and the power of collaboration. We are proud of these talented students for their dedication, craftsmanship, and vision, and grateful to our community partners, including the City of Champaign and 40 North, for helping make this opportunity possible.
Over the next five weeks, Unit 4 high school students will gain hands-on welding experience while working alongside local artist Greg Stallmeyer and Centennial welding instructor Chris Storm to bring this inspiring sculpture to life. Through this work-based learning opportunity, students are developing valuable career skills, expressing their creativity, and leaving a lasting mark on our community.
The sculpture's name, Infinite Possibilities, reflects the limitless potential of our students and the power of collaboration. We are proud of these talented students for their dedication, craftsmanship, and vision, and grateful to our community partners, including the City of Champaign and 40 North, for helping make this opportunity possible.




Friday, June 19, all Champaign Unit 4 School District buildings will be closed in observance of Juneteenth. We take this time to recognize and reflect on the significance of this day in our nation's history.



Starting June 15 through July 17, Unit 4 campuses will be open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 AM-4:30 PM. On Fridays, buildings will be open by appointment only. Have a great summer!
All buildings will be closed on Friday, June 19th.
All buildings will be closed on Friday, June 19th.



Unit 4 is hosting an Administrator and Principal Job Fair on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 502 W Windsor Rd. Learn about open positions and participate in on-the-spot conversations.

Congratulations to Dr. Howard Reading Interventionist Gariel Pierce, News Gazette's Teacher of the Week!
https://www.news-gazette.com/article_26556bfa-c2db-4dc0-9ad0-a5acd57f77bc.html

This month, we celebrate our LGBTQ+ students, staff, families, and community members. At Unit 4, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student feels seen and valued.



Congratulations to Central senior Andrew Myers on earning the rank of Eagle Scout! Andrew earned this honor after completing 21 merit badges and dedicating 114 hours to a service project building shelves for the community. We are proud of Andrew’s leadership and commitment to excellence.

Free summer meals for children 18 and younger begin next week through Unit 4’s Summer Food Service Program!
Breakfast and lunch will be available at locations across the community at no cost to families.
See the chart for meal locations and times, and visit https://www.champaignschools.org/page/food-service#SummerMeals for more information.
Breakfast and lunch will be available at locations across the community at no cost to families.
See the chart for meal locations and times, and visit https://www.champaignschools.org/page/food-service#SummerMeals for more information.



Reminder: tonight, we celebrate the Class of 2026!
Join us as Centennial and Central seniors walk across the stage and begin their next chapter.
Centennial Commencement: 4:30 pm
Central Commencement: 7:30 pm
Visit the link below for ceremony details and additional information.
https://www.champaignschools.org/article/2930107
Join us as Centennial and Central seniors walk across the stage and begin their next chapter.
Centennial Commencement: 4:30 pm
Central Commencement: 7:30 pm
Visit the link below for ceremony details and additional information.
https://www.champaignschools.org/article/2930107

Today marked an exciting step forward for accessibility and inclusion in our community as leaders gathered for the groundbreaking of the new All-Abilities Activities Hub at the Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation Center. Funded through the State of Illinois OSLAD grant program, this inclusive outdoor space will create opportunities for recreation, connection, and play for individuals of all ages and abilities.
Champaign Unit 4 Schools was proud to support this important community project. The land used for the access improvement project south of Jefferson Middle School was formerly owned by Unit 4 and was transferred to the Park District to help make this vision possible. Acting Superintendent Dan Casillas represented Unit 4 at today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony as we continue supporting efforts that strengthen accessibility and intergovernmental support with community partners.
Governor JB Pritzker joined local leaders and community partners to celebrate the project, which will feature accessible playground equipment and welcoming spaces designed to bring children of all abilities together.
Champaign Unit 4 Schools was proud to support this important community project. The land used for the access improvement project south of Jefferson Middle School was formerly owned by Unit 4 and was transferred to the Park District to help make this vision possible. Acting Superintendent Dan Casillas represented Unit 4 at today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony as we continue supporting efforts that strengthen accessibility and intergovernmental support with community partners.
Governor JB Pritzker joined local leaders and community partners to celebrate the project, which will feature accessible playground equipment and welcoming spaces designed to bring children of all abilities together.




Barkstall Elementary welcomed back graduating seniors from Central and Centennial today for a special senior walk-through.

Student registration for Champaign Schools closes in just 9 days on May 29. No appointment is necessary to attend the upcoming in-person registration events at Mellon (703 S New St).
Returning families can use the ParentVUE portal. Visit www.champaignschools.org for more info.
Returning families can use the ParentVUE portal. Visit www.champaignschools.org for more info.



We wish you a meaningful and memorable Memorial Day. Unit 4 schools and administrative buildings will be closed



Today, we celebrated Garden Hills and its staff's culture of giving! During Unit 4's United Way of Champaign County annual giving campaign, Garden Hills organized its building and recruited the most individual donors to the United Way. Their reward was a pizza party for their staff. Thank you to our United Way donors, volunteers, and leaders who helped make this year's campaign a resounding success!

Congratulations to the Charger Choir and Expressions on an incredible showing at the Music in the Parks Festival!
Both the Choir and Expressions earned a SUPERIOR ranking, marking the first distinction earned by Centennial's Choir. Expressions brought home 1st place and the Overall Grand Champion trophy for the third straight year, while the combined choir earned 2nd place honors.
Special congratulations to Theresa Hege and Rubye Landry for receiving Outstanding Soloist honors for their duet, and to Aniyah Robicheaux, Erika Mokaphan, James Champion, and Natalie Yakoub for earning the Outstanding Student Accompanist Award with their string quartet performance.
We are so proud of our students, staff, and the continued success of this amazing program!
Both the Choir and Expressions earned a SUPERIOR ranking, marking the first distinction earned by Centennial's Choir. Expressions brought home 1st place and the Overall Grand Champion trophy for the third straight year, while the combined choir earned 2nd place honors.
Special congratulations to Theresa Hege and Rubye Landry for receiving Outstanding Soloist honors for their duet, and to Aniyah Robicheaux, Erika Mokaphan, James Champion, and Natalie Yakoub for earning the Outstanding Student Accompanist Award with their string quartet performance.
We are so proud of our students, staff, and the continued success of this amazing program!


Congratulations to the Unit 4 Schools archery teams on their performances at the 2026 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Eastern National 3-D and Bullseye Tournaments!
In the NASP Bullseye Tournament, Central High School’s Team #1 delivered an exceptional performance, finishing 3rd out of 262 teams. Central’s Team #2 also earned a strong top-50 finish, placing 50th overall. Centennial High School’s Team #1 finished 10th out of 262 teams, while Team #2 placed 164th.
Unit 4 middle schools also had an outstanding showing at the national level. Franklin STEAM Academy placed in the top 20 percentile at 49th (out of 249 teams). Jefferson Middle School finished 117th, and Edison Middle School placed 130th in the bullseye competition.
At the NASP 3-D Tournament, Centennial High School’s Team #1 earned an impressive 9th place finish out of 225 high school teams. Central High School’s Team #1 placed 16th out of 225 teams. Centennial’s Team #2 also competed in the tournament.
We applaud the hard work, focus, and dedication of our student archers and coaches. Thank you for representing our schools and community with pride on the national stage!
In the NASP Bullseye Tournament, Central High School’s Team #1 delivered an exceptional performance, finishing 3rd out of 262 teams. Central’s Team #2 also earned a strong top-50 finish, placing 50th overall. Centennial High School’s Team #1 finished 10th out of 262 teams, while Team #2 placed 164th.
Unit 4 middle schools also had an outstanding showing at the national level. Franklin STEAM Academy placed in the top 20 percentile at 49th (out of 249 teams). Jefferson Middle School finished 117th, and Edison Middle School placed 130th in the bullseye competition.
At the NASP 3-D Tournament, Centennial High School’s Team #1 earned an impressive 9th place finish out of 225 high school teams. Central High School’s Team #1 placed 16th out of 225 teams. Centennial’s Team #2 also competed in the tournament.
We applaud the hard work, focus, and dedication of our student archers and coaches. Thank you for representing our schools and community with pride on the national stage!





ICYMI: Franklin Open House tonight!
We want your voice in shaping the future of Unit 4 middle schools! Join us at an upcoming open house to review and share feedback on Middle School Facilities Planning. We’re exploring several options to support student learning, and your input will help guide the way forward.
Plans for Franklin, Jefferson, IPA, and Garden Hills will be available at each event. Come take a look, ask questions, and be part of the conversation! Each open house will be the same presentation so community members only need to attend one session.
We want your voice in shaping the future of Unit 4 middle schools! Join us at an upcoming open house to review and share feedback on Middle School Facilities Planning. We’re exploring several options to support student learning, and your input will help guide the way forward.
Plans for Franklin, Jefferson, IPA, and Garden Hills will be available at each event. Come take a look, ask questions, and be part of the conversation! Each open house will be the same presentation so community members only need to attend one session.



AVID Career Day at Robeson gave students a chance to explore a wide range of careers and hear directly from local community leaders and professionals! From police officers and scientists to bankers, architects, lawyers, and even the mayors of Champaign and Urbana, students learned about the many paths available to them and the importance of following their passions. Thank you to all of our guest speakers for inspiring the next generation!





