North Palos 117 Project Makes Full-Day Kindergarten a Reality

PALOS HILLS, IL - In the summer of 2024, North Palos School District 117 (NPD117) announced a multi-phase plan to offer full-day kindergarten throughout the district. After two years of construction and preparation, the district has fulfilled its pledge. On September 2, 2026, NPD117 held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the project's completion, celebrate the hard work involved, and invite the community to view the new spaces.

To make full-day kindergarten possible at both Dorn and Sorrick Schools, the district consolidated its entire preschool program at Sorrick School. This move freed up the space required at Dorn School to accommodate full-day kindergarten classes. To house the preschool program at Sorrick, the district office relocated to a separate building on the Sorrick campus, allowing the former administrative offices to be renovated into early childhood classrooms.

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In March 2026, the final phase took shape as district office staff moved into the newly renovated Dr. Ken Geraghty Administrative Center, clearing the way for renovation of the new preschool wing. In addition to the preschool spaces, a six-room addition was built on the northwest side of Sorrick School to accommodate extra kindergarten students. The project also added an updated music room, occupational and physical therapy spaces, renovated main offices, and a dedicated preschool playground.

Following a busy summer of construction, Dorn and Sorrick Schools opened their doors on August 14, welcoming kindergarten students for their first full day of school.

"Bringing full-day kindergarten to District 117 has been a priority for us, and seeing our students thrive in these beautiful new spaces is incredibly rewarding," said NPD117 Superintendent Dr. Christine Droba. "Our goal is always to provide our students with the best possible foundation for learning, and we are deeply grateful for the community support that made this vision a reality."