Mission
The mission of Urbana School District 116 is to create a supportive community to equip and nurture ALL learners to achieve success.
Stronger Together. Leading for the Future.
Values
Belonging – Community – Integrity – Pride
Urbana School District is home to an early childhood school, five elementary schools, including a multilingual school, a sixth grade center, one middle school, one high school, an alternative center and an adult education center. We provide an inclusive education Pre-K to twelfth grade, serving more than 4,300 students.
Over 20 percent of our district’s students are English learners representing over 60 countries. With more than 50 languages spoken in our schools, students who attend Urbana School District 116 schools are immersed in culturally-rich learning environments that prepare them for success in the multicultural world workforce they will face upon graduation. In addition to our culturally-rich learning environments USD116 offers several school-based programs and activities, a well-rounded curriculum, and multiple opportunities for family engagement.
Strategic Plan
Our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan provides a framework to guide decisions and behaviors, provide common goals, and clear direction for everything that happens in USD 116.
We have four Priority Areas within our Strategic Plan:
- Priority Area One: Student Growth and Achievement (Belonging)
- Priority Area Two: Staff Development and Retention(Pride)
- Priority Area Three: Family and Community as Agency(Community)
- Priority Area Four:District Systems and Operations (Integrity)
FAST FACTS Numbers based on data from 2024
- 4,342 Students pre-k-12
- 459 Teachers
- 48% of USD Teachers have a master’s degree or higher
- 923 Staff
- 11 Schools
- 74% Low income
- 778 Students enrolled in CTE programs
- 522 UHS students taking honors courses
- 111 UHS students enrolled in 1 or more dual credit courses
- 10 Early college & career academy programs
- 174 students enrolled in college after graduation
- 77 students entered the workforce after graduation
- 83% Graduation rate (3 percent increase over last year)
- 253 Students enrolled in Urbana’s Gold Circle Early Childhood School
- 25 Students earned the State Seal of Biliteracy (in 2024)
You can view the Urbana School District Illinois State Report Cards below:
Dr. Preston L. Williams Jr. Elementary
Portrait of a Graduate
Urbana School District created its first Portrait of a Graduate as part of a collaborative effort to develop a comprehensive strategic plan at the end of the 2025 school year. This cooperative effort included parents, community members, students, staff, and administrators. The goal was to ensure that when our students graduate from the Urbana School District, they can fully realize their potential.
We want to shift the mindset of our school community so that they understand that graduating from high school is not the end goal. The ultimate goal is to prepare our graduates for college, careers, and life after graduation. The skills and competencies taught through our Portrait will ensure their future readiness.
Our Portrait outlines six essential competencies and skills to equip our students for lifelong success.:
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Perseverance
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is using your mind as a detective and an inventor. Critical Thinkers identify innovative and creative solutions to complex problems. They gather, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas to think deeply, apply multiple perspectives to develop innovative solutions, and make informed decisions.
Our Students…
- Understand a global view and propose solutions that are mindful of the impact on other parts of a system and the environment
- Evaluate one’s own thinking through analysis, assessment, and reflection
- Reflect upon and find multiple ways to respond to a problem
- Look at things from different angles, finding good information, and thinking deeply
Communication
Effective communication is like a recipe. Each type – verbal, nonverbal, or written – requires a different combination of ingredients, such as listening, speaking, and understanding. Effective communicators build skills in developing and sharing their voices. They listen, seek, and receive constructive feedback, read nonverbal cues, and collaborate with the intent to include and understand others’ viewpoints, opinions, and culture. They confidently engage in appropriate communication to resolve disagreements peacefully and productively.
Our Students…
- Articulate thoughts and ideas in various forms of communication, including oral, written, visual, and nonverbal, in their chosen language.
- Understand, negotiate, and balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable solutions
- Demonstrate awareness, sensitivity, concern, and respect to connect with others
- Effectively communicate to inform, explain, motivate, and persuade a range of audiences
Adaptability
Adaptability combines various cognitive, emotional, and social skills. These skills enable our students to navigate challenges, embrace change, continue learning, and thrive in an evolving world.
Our Students…
- Demonstrate resilience and overcome challenges with a growth mindset and attitude
- Manage emotional thinking and embrace change as an opportunity for growth
- Master new skills in a rapidly evolving world
- Are flexible and organized in all environments
Perseverance
Perseverance is the ability to work towards goals with effort and determination, even when a task seems challenging. It involves self-discipline and grit, resisting the urge to give up by choosing to navigate obstacles to achieve passions and goals.
Our Students…
- Self-regulate and control cognition, motivation, and behavior to set and achieve goals
- Tackle difficult problems and discover solutions
- Embrace the fear of failure as a means of growth
- Build networks of support and understand when to advocate for oneself and others
Self-Management
Self-management is understanding and regulating one’s emotions, thoughts, and actions to foster personal growth, achieve goals, and navigate diverse environments effectively. This includes managing stress, staying motivated, and empathizing with others from various backgrounds to promote a positive and inclusive school community.
Our Students…
- Accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations
- Set personal and collective goals
- Accurately recognize emotions and their influence on behavior
- Understand how their actions and words impact others and the environment around them
Social Awareness
Social awareness is understanding and empathizing with others, especially those from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to foster positive relationships and a respectful community. This includes demonstrating responsible behavior by recognizing emotions, understanding social and ethical norms, and being aware of the impact of one’s actions on others within the school and broader community.
Our Students…
- Demonstrate empathy and compassion
- Appreciate and respect the differences of others and their perspectives
- Understand how to handle stressful situations
- Recognize and celebrate the strengths and contributions of others