Chicago Ridge School District, 6135 Lombard Ave, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415, US

Ridgeland School District 122 was founded in 1871, the year of the Chicago Fire. The district has evolved from a one-room schoolhouse with an enrollment of 14 students to a thriving modern school district serving 2,200 students. The district draws elementary school students in grades PreK-8 from sections of Oak Lawn, Bridgeview and Chicago Ridge, although 80 percent of the district lies within Oak Lawn. The district's attendance area is bounded by the west side of Central Avenue to the east side of Harlem Avenue, and from the south side of 87th Street to the north side of 103rd Street. Elementary schools serve grades PreK-5. They include Columbus-Manor, Ernest F. Kolb and Harnew in Oak Lawn, and George W. Lieb in Bridgeview. Students in grades 6 through 8 attend Simmons Middle School located in Oak Lawn. Starting in 2000, remodeling and replacement was done on all five district schools, including additions and expansions. Dearborn Heights was demolished and replaced by a brand-new elementary school on the site named for the popular late mayor of Oak Lawn Ernie Kolb. In 2006, a brand-new Columbus Manor and a completely remodeled Lieb School were dedicated. Simmons Middle School was renovated and expanded in 2008. Each school is equipped with advanced computer and science labs, libraries, multi-purpose gymnasiums that also function as auditoriums, sports facilities, cafeterias and expansive playgrounds. District 122 continues to upgrade its technology to prepare its students for high school. The district is introducing interactive, computerized "SMART" boards in classrooms and updated its computer labs. Faculty members undergo continual training in the latest teaching strategies and methodologies. Parents can also access their child's school's website and, with a password, view their child's grades on homework and tests, lunch accounts and report cards to monitor their child's day-to-day progress. Special services are provided for students by two school psychologists, five social workers, five speech therapists, five instructional technology teachers and teachers for the English Language Learners program (for foreign-speaking children). Special education and remedial reading also are provided for all children who are eligible. The board of education meets the third Thursday of every month at different schools throughout the district. Meetings start at 7pm. The schedule and location of the meetings are available on the Ridgeland School District 122 website from the link labeled "Meetings, Agendas & Minutes." Emergency school closings due to weather conditions, power failures or other unforeseeable events will be broadcast on AM radio stations 670, 720, 780 and 890; FM radio stations 94.7, 96.3 and 99.5; and TV stations Fox32 and WGN Ch. 9.