Press Release
Illinois Democracy Schools
September 17, 2023
Illinois Democracy Schools are high schools recognized for school-wide commitment to
promoting civic learning by all students, focusing on fostering participatory citizenship
and emphasizing the fundamental ideals and principles of our constitutional democracy
relating to essential questions facing our republic. Since 2006, over 90 schools have
successfully completed a school-wide civic assessment and been recognized as an
Illinois Democracy Schools.
The Illinois Civic Mission Coalition is pleased to announce new Illinois Democracy
Schools this Constitution Day (September 17). This ICMC is pleased to announce that
five new schools have been added to the Illinois Democracy Schools Network:
● Cobden Junior-Senior High School, team led by Jamie Nash-Mayberry
● Deerfield High School, team led by Lisa Allen
● Niles West High School, team led by Martin Zacharia
● Olympia High School, team led by Kate Berry
● Wheeling High School, team led by Brad Hubbard, Angela Hawkins,
Cecile Flores-Herbas
During the 2022-23 school year, these schools engaged in a process which included
school-wide discussions about the state of civics in their school, a self-assessment
where the team reflected on all eleven elements in the Democracy Schools model, and
the administration of surveys to both staff and students. This data was then analyzed by
the team, with help from staff at Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning
and Engagement at the Jonathan M. Tisch College for Civic Life at Tufts University
and the Illinois Civics Hub. These schools will be acknowledged and congratulated for
this accomplishment on September 28, at the Democracy Schools Network Annual
Convening, held at the DoubleTree Hilton in Lisle, Illinois. In addition to recognizing its
new schools, this gathering features a day of immersion in civic learning pedagogy,
discussions on current issues in civic education, and networking for the participants,
representing all areas of Illinois.
We salute the leadership, tenacity and thoughtful engagement of these five schools in
completing this rigorous process. Congratulations on this honor!
The Illinois Democracy School team at Olympia High School consists of Lon Abrams
(Social Studies), Kate Berry (Social Studies), Haley Boswell (Special Education),
Jonathan Cox (Principal), Logan Demling (student), Cody Hendricks (Social Studies),
Lisa Knuffman (English), Matt Modrusic (Social Studies), Laura O’Donnell
(Superintendent), and Natalie Stevens (Art).