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Students, alumni and parents praise Elmwood Park High School’s vocational and academic programs
Summary
During a public comment session, current students, alumni and parents described how Elmwood Park High School’s vocational rotations, leadership programs and welcoming campus shaped careers and influenced school choice decisions.
Claire Doyle, a senior at Elmwood Park High School, told the meeting she is a third-generation student and said family ties to the school helped shape her choice to attend. "I absolutely have no regrets about coming to Elmwood Park High School," Doyle said, adding that friendships and extracurricular clubs helped her find a passion.
An alumnus who said they were the first in their family to attend Elmwood Park High School told the room the school’s industrial-arts offerings were decisive. The commenter described nine-week rotations in electric, carpentry, drafting and metal shop and said, "I still have most of what I built in the machine shop back here," noting that many of their jobs drew on skills learned at the school.
A resident who attended Elmwood Park High School recalled strong academics and leadership opportunities, saying participation in the junior and senior leader program helped prepare them for further education and a career. "It allowed me to continue on to my education after high school and further into my career," the resident said.
That resident also described choosing Elmwood Park High School for their children after touring and said their family felt welcomed by the school’s environment, a factor that influenced their decision. Another commenter said proximity and a sibling who already attends the school made Elmwood Park High School the practical choice for the family.
Speakers repeatedly emphasized the connection across generations: one presenter said their grandfather attended in the 1970s and their mother graduated in 1999, and several described pride in the school and gratitude for programs that prepared students for work and further study. While commenters praised the district for providing essential programs, they also acknowledged there is "always room for improvement." The remarks were delivered as personal testimony during the public comment period; no formal policy actions or votes were recorded in the transcript.
The public comment period closed without any motions or decisions recorded in the transcript.
