Students cannot opt out of required curriculum except for:

• Comprehensive sex education
• Family Life class
• HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases
• Avoiding sexual abuse
• Instruction on organ/tissue and blood donor and transplantation programs
• Animal Dissection

LGBTQIA

Public law 101-0227, requiring as of July 1, 2020, Illinois public schools must include a study of the role and contributions of LGBTQ individuals in the history of this country and this State.

There is no state policy that allows parents to opt out of general inclusive curriculum or books that represent LGBTQ+ individuals. 

The guiding priorities for our Health courses are to empower students with accurate, age-appropriate information that enables them to make responsible choices for their own wellness and safety. Our goal is to help students thrive in all three aspects of their health (physical, mental and emotional, and social health), while also educating them about the various factors that affect their health.

Our Health curriculum utilizes “Comprehensive Health” by Goodheart-Wilcox

 AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. This involves equipping students with rigorous academic skills, knowledge of opportunities, and the self-advocacy and agency needed to succeed in life beyond high school. The AVID Elective is offered to students in grades 6-12 grade.

AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, helps
schools and teachers make learning more meaningful and engaging. Research tells us that the most powerful influence on academic achievement is a caring teacher. When students care and connect to both their learning and their teacher, they will succeed.

AVID for Elementary Schools

AVID Elementary engages young learners and provides them with the critical skills to become confident, independent thinkers who have a thirst for learning. Teachers use AVID strategies to provide students with:

• Proven ways to succeed in school
• Writing to learn, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading to learn
• Note-taking and time management skills
• Best ways to work together inside and outside of the classroom

AVID for Middle and High Schools

AVID’s teaching strategies and curriculum build positive teacher-student relationships to ensure student success schoolwide. AVID Elective students:

• Enroll in advanced courses (AP)
• Receive academic instruction and tutorial support
• Strengthen their writing skills
• Improve study and organization skills
• Gain “college knowledge”
•  Visit colleges and explore careers

Urbana School District has adopted 7 Mindsets as our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. 7 Mindsets is a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) program that empowers students and adults to live with passion, purpose, and meaning by transforming the way they think about themselves and their future. The program identifies seven core mindsets that serve as a blueprint for personal fulfillment and achievement. Rooted in the belief that true success and happiness are determined not by income, background, or identity, but by mindset, 7 Mindsets helps individuals recognize that while we can’t control where we come from, we can shape where we are going. 

7 Mindsets offers an extensive PreK–12 curriculum packed with thousands of videos and resources, plus professional development and adult SEL all available through a user-friendly digital platform. This makes it easy for educators to bring social-emotional learning into their classrooms and school culture with confidence. This evidence-based program has been shown to enhance student behavior, engagement, and academic achievement, while also promoting staff well-being and strengthening family connections. By focusing on how we think rather than just what we know, 7 Mindsets cultivates resilience, motivation, and meaning – creating lasting, positive change for individuals and communities alike.

The 7 Mindsets

Everything Is Possible: Embrace an optimistic belief that with vision and effort, any goal can be achieved. This mindset encourages dreaming big and staying open to creative solutions.

Passion First: Focus on activities that match your deepest interests and talents. When passion drives your actions, motivation and fulfillment naturally follow.

We Are Connected: Recognize the value of empathy, relationships, and community. Success is strengthened by collaboration and shared support.

100% Accountable: Take responsibility for your choices, outcomes, and your path forward. This mindset builds resilience, self-motivation, and a sense of control over your life.

Attitude of Gratitude: Cultivate a habit of appreciating what you have. Gratitude nurtures positivity, emotional well-being, and perseverance.

Live to Give: Find meaning through generosity by sharing your time, talents, and compassion. This mindset enriches both the giver and the recipient, creating a ripple effect of positivity.

The Time Is Now: Act with purpose in the present. Let go of procrastination and seize the moment; every step forward starts with the decision to begin.