Superintendent's Message

The most important role of our school district is to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education. By doing so, we fulfill our mission—to prepare today’s learners for tomorrow’s challenges.

On behalf of the Board of Education, administration, faculty, staff, and students, I welcome you to Coal City Community Unit School District #1.

I am proud to have spent my entire 28-year career in education with District 1. My wife and I have raised our family in this community, and both of our children are proud Coaler graduates. It is my sincere hope that your family finds the same sense of belonging and success in our schools and community that mine has.

We encourage all students and families to become actively involved in our schools and the wider community. Our district offers a broad range of co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities, which play a vital role in helping students grow, connect, and succeed both in school and in life.

We take great pride in our district’s achievements:

Academic Excellence:

• 21 students recognized as Illinois State Scholars in 2025

• Nine students in the class of 2026 earned a score of 30 or higher on the ACT—including one perfect score
• 55 students recognized as AP Scholars—23 earning AP Scholar with Distinction honors

School Recognition:

• Coal City Elementary School and Coal City Intermediate School received Exemplary designations from the Illinois State Board of Education, placing them among the top 10% of elementary schools statewide
• Coal City Early Childhood Center, Middle School, and High School received Commendable designations, each just a few points shy of the Exemplary category

Financial Integrity:

• The district continues to maintain a perfect financial designation score from the state

Outstanding Programs:

• Our award-winning theatre department continues to achieve at the highest levels
• State championships in high school wrestling and eighth-grade girls track and field during the 2024-2025 school year
• Student participation and success in academic competitions, fine arts programs, and numerous state-level athletic events
  
  

There is so much to be proud of in Coal City Schools, and we are committed to building on this strong foundation. I invite you to explore our website to learn more about the wide array of opportunities we offer our students and community.

GO COALERS!