Batavia High School Recognized as Illinois Democracy School

From Batavia Public Schools: The Illinois Civic Mission Coalition (ICMC) has recognized Batavia High School as a 2017 Illinois Democracy School. Democracy Schools are recognized for providing students with authentic experiences in the rights, responsibilities, and tensions inherent in living in a constitutional democracy. Through these experiences, participating schools strive to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for informed, effective engagement in our democracy.

Since 2006, 67 Illinois high schools have successfully completed a school-wide civic assessment and have been subsequently recognized as Democracy Schools. “Gaining recognition as an Illinois Democracy School involved a year-long process of demonstrating the many civic-oriented learning opportunities that we offer our students,” said Batavia High School Social Studies Teacher Joseph Cranston.

“While this project was initiated by the Social Studies Department, we look forward to working collaboratively with other academic departments and clubs. Our goal is to create many more such opportunities schoolwide.” Batavia High School will receive a stipend from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which convenes the ICMC, to invest in high-quality civic learning initiatives, as well as a banner for public display. Democracy Schools foster a school climate that nurtures and models civic dispositions and builds strong relationships within the surrounding community.

These schools provide students with various opportunities to participate in the democratic process such as engaging in current and controversial issue discussions, participating in democratic simulations and providing service learning opportunities. Though these practices, student see first-hand the critical role they play in shaping government and society.

For more information, visit McCormickFoundation.org/DemocracySchools.

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