102-Year-Old Joliet School Now History, School Board Votes 7-0 To Close Building In Coming Months

(The following edited press release came from Sandy Zalewski, director for communications & development at Joliet Public Schools District 86.)

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors voted 7-0 at Wednesday night's meeting to close A.O. Marshall Elementary School. The 49,000-square-foot school was built in 1924 and will close at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.

“I understand that a change of this significance is not easy,” remarked Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse. “We are committed to making the transition to a new school as smooth as possible for our students, families, and staff.”

Students who reside within the Marshall attendance boundaries will transfer to Isaac Singleton Elementary School, located at 1451 Copperfield Avenue, in August. Opened in 2011, Singleton spans 71,000 square feet and features a separate cafeteria, gymnasium and state-of-the-art two-story library.

The school board held three public hearings, December 11, 2025; January 8, 2026; and February 4, 2026, to discuss the closure. During those meetings, people had the opportunity to provide public comment and district administrators shared data showing Marshall’s enrollment has declined to 33 percent of building capacity. Singleton is currently at 52 percent building capacity.

Will County’s birth rate has also declined.

Marshall now serves 210 general education and bilingual students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with an average class size of 14 students. Singleton’s enrollment is 366 students, both general education and bilingual students, with an average class size of 20. The projected combined class size in the fall is 25 students per classroom.

“Making a decision to close a school is extremely difficult,” explained District 86 Board of School Inspectors President Jesse Smith. “We know how special Marshall is to many students, employees, and families.”

Marshall students and families will be invited to an open house at Isaac Singleton School in May to meet administrators, staff, students, and families and have a chance to tour the school.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 is the third largest elementary school district in Illinois, serving 9,161 students. The district operates 21 schools: one early childhood center, 15 elementary schools, four junior high schools, and one alternate school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.