Welcome to Cooper!

We are thrilled to have you here! Go Cobras!

Congratulations, Cross Country!

Third place, IESA Class 4A 2024 Boys & Girls Cross Country State Competition

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District 21 Health Center

Bring your student in for next year’s physical, immunization or other medical needs. It’s free of cost and in your backyard.

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Events View All Events >

Event Details
Jan
25

Wrestling Invite

8:00a - Noon
Round Lake, IL, USA

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Event Details
Jan
27

Girls Volleyball Match vs. Winston Campus Middle School

4:00p - 6:00p
James F. Cooper Middle School, 1050 Plum Grove Cir, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, USA

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Event Details
Jan
30

Wrestling Meet vs. River Trails

4:00p - 6:00p
James F. Cooper Middle School, 1050 Plum Grove Cir, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, USA

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Event Details
Jan
30

Girls Volleyball Match @ River Trails Middle School

4:00p - 6:00p
River Trails Middle School, 1000 N Wolf Rd, Mt Prospect, IL 60056, USA

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Event Details
Feb
01

D21 Solo and Ensemble Contest

All Day
James F. Cooper Middle School, 1050 Plum Grove Cir, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, USA

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Event Details
Feb
04

Wrestling Meet vs. Holmes Middle School

4:00p - 6:00p
James F. Cooper Middle School, 1050 Plum Grove Cir, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, USA

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Event Details
Feb
05

D21 Spelling Bee

6:30p - 8:00p
959 W Dundee Rd, Wheeling, IL 60090, USA

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Event Details
Feb
06

Wrestling Meet vs. Thomas/Aptakisic

4:00p - 7:00p
James F. Cooper Middle School, 1050 Plum Grove Cir, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, USA

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Event Details
Feb
10

Wrestling Meet vs. London Middle School

4:00p - 6:00p
James F. Cooper Middle School, 1050 Plum Grove Cir, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, USA

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Event Details
Feb
11

Cooper PTO Meeting

7:00p - 8:00p

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Event Details
Feb
12

8th Grade Pictures

All Day

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Event Details
Feb
12

Wrestling Meet @ MacArthur Middle School

4:00p - 6:00p
MacArthur Middle School, 700 N Schoenbeck Rd, Prospect Heights, IL 60070, USA

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Event Details
Feb
12

Girls Volleyball Match vs. MacArthur Middle School

4:00p - 6:00p
James F. Cooper Middle School, 1050 Plum Grove Cir, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, USA

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Event Details
Feb
14

School Improvement Day--AM Classes Only, no pre-K

All Day

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Event Details
Feb
17

No School - Presidents' Day

8:00a - 3:30p

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Cooper Cobras

Teachers, support staff and administrators work each day to empower every student, every day.

27.4

Average class size

The many languages spoken in our students' homes reflect our diverse community.

News and Happenings View All News >

Jan 22, 2025

Meet our 2024-2025 student board representatives!

Community Consolidated School District 21 is proud to announce our three eighth-grade student board representatives for the 2024-2025 school year. These outstanding students were selected for their exceptional leadership, commitment to their schools, and passion for making a positive impact…

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Jan 20, 2025

District 21 Open and In Person on Jan. 21

January 20, 2025 Dear CCSD 21 Parents and Guardians, District 21 has been closely monitoring the forecasted cold temperatures for Tuesday morning. Current forecasts do not meet our area’s criteria for implementing a cold weather emergency day which is a…

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Jan 16, 2025

CCSD21 approves bids to complete renovation work at Gill Administration Building

The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on Jan. 16 formally approved two bids totaling $1,511,773 to complete renovations of the remaining unused portion of the Gill Administration Building, which would convert it into storage space. Approximately $1,175,900…

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Jan 10, 2025

The January 2025 Family Newsletter is now available!

The latest edition of The 21 Ledger, our family and community newsletter, is now available! Check your email, head to our Facebook, or scroll below to read the full version. Let’s stay connected!

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Jan 9, 2025

A message from Dr. Connolly: PowerSchool Cyberattack

Dear CCSD21 parents and staff members: We want to inform you about a recent data breach involving our third-party database platform we use for student records, PowerSchool. While we understand this news may be concerning, we are pleased to report that…

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Jan 9, 2025

CCSD21 maximizes winter break to improve schools, enhance learning environments

While classrooms sat quiet and hallways empty during winter break, Community Consolidated School District 21 was anything but idle. Teams of workers mobilized across the district to tackle vital upgrades and improvements aimed at enhancing school facilities and creating…

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Jan 9, 2025

CCSD21’s Beanstack reading challenge inspires students with community support

As Community Consolidated School District 21’s district-wide Beanstack reading challenge enters its second trimester, and totals for number of minutes read for the first trimester are being calculated across schools, spirits are high due to the overwhelming generosity of local…

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Dec 17, 2024

Calendar for 2025-2026 academic year now available

During its meeting on Dec. 12, the Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education formally approved the calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year. Full Calendar (including events and activities) 2025-2026 Academic Calendar (English) 2025-2026 Academic Calendar (Spanish) 2025-2026 Academic…

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Dec 6, 2024

The December 2024 Family Newsletter is now available!

The latest edition of The 21 Ledger, our family and community newsletter, is now available! Check your email, head to our Facebook, or scroll below to read the full version. Let’s stay connected!

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Dec 6, 2024

Statement from the Superintendent: Traffic Incident at London

Dear CCSD21 Parents and Guardians, This morning, a serious pedestrian-involved traffic incident with injuries occurred at London Middle School during student drop-off. This incident occurred despite London faculty and staff performing their regular supervision and two Wheeling Police officers on…

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Dec 6, 2024

CCSD21 considering expansion of early childhood program with new center

Community Consolidated School District 21 is exploring the possibility of building a new early childhood center in the district, a move that will enhance early learning opportunities for the community’s youngest learners, district officials announced on Tuesday. Speaking before the…

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Dec 5, 2024

CCSD21 outlines scope of spring, summer work

As Community Consolidated School District 21 prepares to close for its winter break, officials within the district are already looking to the future for what projects slated for completion during the spring and summer of 2025. The district recently opened…

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My Why View All >

Dec 10, 2024

My Why - Alli Tower, Technology Support Specialist

Common thinking about technology positions is that it requires a computer science degree. CCSD21 technology support specialist Alli Tower busts this myth. With her calm demeanor and excellent customer service support, she possesses the perfect combination of qualities to assist…

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Nov 6, 2024

My Why - Dhurata Devija, Field 1st Grade Teacher

Born and raised in Albania, Dhurata Devija dreamed of coming to America to work as a teacher. Surrounded by a family of educators, she was inspired to make a difference in students’ lives, like her mother, who was an elementary…

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Oct 23, 2024

My Why - Janet Acosta, Frost Secretary

As a third grader at Whitman Elementary School in the late ‘90’s, Janet Acosta struggled with math, English and other subjects. With the guidance and patience of teacher Clara Riley, Acosta was able to progress with the other classmates. “Ms.…

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Oct 21, 2024

My Why - Ariadna Navarro, Special Education Teacher

As a young immigrant from Mexico, Ariadna Navarro was a quiet child. She was in first grade and didn’t understand English when her family moved to the States. It was only when a teacher who took an interest in her…

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Apr 15, 2024

My Why - Alvarado Brothers, Custodians for CCSD21

There is a famous quote about leadership that goes something like this: Where one goes, others will follow. This couldn’t be more accurate for the Alvarado brothers, all of whom work at CCSD21. Born in Mexico, four Alvarado brothers (and…

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Apr 4, 2024

My Why - Abigail Lopez, Teacher's Assistant

Sometimes fate has a way of guiding you towards the next steps of your life. After being employed in a variety of jobs, including supporting autistic children at Clearbrook home-based services, working at Starbucks, and teaching kids how to swim,…

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Feb 20, 2024

My Why - Kasia Gold, LMC Assistant

It’s so inspiring when you hear that someone has found their purpose. They radiate light. They are happy. They are energetic. They connect with others. They contribute to a greater community. Kasia Gold, library and media center assistant at Field…

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Feb 14, 2024

My Why - Maria Elena Martinez, Teacher's Assistant

Maria Elena Martinez frequently gets mistaken for a student. “It’s probably because I’m small in stature and have youthful energy,” Martinez quips. But this teacher’s assistant at Twain Elementary School has over 30 years of teaching experience both in the…

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Feb 13, 2024

My Why - Dennis Depcik, CCSD21 Parent

If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet Buffalo Grove resident Dennis Depcik yet, you’re missing out on knowing a local renaissance man – a cultured, compassionate and open-minded person who has worn many hats during his long, rich life.…

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Feb 12, 2024

My Why - Josue Velazquez, P.E. Teacher

While Josue Velazquez’s main role as a physical education teacher at Twain Elementary School is to teach the students how to be fit and keep active, he’s much more than that. If you look up the word “mentor” in the…

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Jan 30, 2024

My Why - Donna McDonagh, LMC Assistant

Donna McDonagh “makes this place what it is,” says Amy McCall, literacy equity teacher at London Middle School, as she’s heading out of the library and media center for the day. “She makes it all look easy and is incredibly…

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Dec 1, 2023

MY WHY - Cindy Gonzalez, Part-Time Library Assistant

Cindy Gonzalez is a huge fan of the TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As a child, she watched the show regularly and shares much of the same philosophy as the famous host, including the knowledge that children are easily influenced…

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Rising Stars View All >

Jan 13, 2025

Meet Maritza J

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Nov 12, 2024

Meet Naia R

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Nov 12, 2024

Meet Logan M

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Nov 12, 2024

Meet Isa AE

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Nov 12, 2024

Meet Amelio S.

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Oct 23, 2024

Meet Mateo G-L.

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Mar 12, 2024

Meet - Angie H.

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Mar 12, 2024

Meet - Elesvan R.

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Dec 14, 2023

Meet - Keely H.

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Dec 14, 2023

Meet - Isaiah D.

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Dec 6, 2023

Meet - Nell S.

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Nov 21, 2023

Meet - Ethan A.

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Meet our Alumni View All >

Nov 11, 2024

Dr. Craig Winkelman - '87

As the superintendent of Barrington School District 220, Dr. Craig Winkelman’s most important objective is to be student-centered in the decisions made for the district, most importantly giving students interesting and unique experiences inside and outside the classroom. One of…

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Oct 9, 2024

Chris Pippin Northwick - '79

One of CCSD21’s alumna, Chris Pippin Northwick, has a simple life philosophy: make connections with others. She believes that it has a direct correlation to personal success and creates emotionally, well-balanced individuals. And she should know. As the Co-Executive Director…

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Sep 30, 2024

Lynda (Steckling) Collins - ‘74

Alumna Lynda (Steckling) Collins sees her life as a series of building blocks. Learning a new skill and then securing a job with exactly that skill set required. Living internationally, and then securing a job that depends on cultural diversity.…

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Aug 20, 2024

Jim Ray - '77

Contributed by Thomas Parker, Communications Intern From a young age, Jim Ray, an alumnus of District 21, learned the valuable lesson of taking the chance to try something new. This was one of many lessons he learned during his…

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Aug 16, 2024

Gillian Sherman - '11

Contributed by Comms Intern, Thomas Parker For as long as she can remember, Gillian Sherman has dreamed of being a teacher. Her time in District 21, attending Longfellow Elementary School and Cooper Middle School, taught her a lot and…

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Aug 6, 2024

Glenn Meier - '68

Glenn Meier ‘68 Contributed by Thomas Parker, Communications Intern From being a part of the very first class at Holmes Middle School in 1966, to his current membership with the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove, Glenn Meier has always…

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Jul 29, 2024

Andrew Sanchez - '99

Contributed by Thomas Parker, Communications Intern Andrew Manuel Sanchez, a native of the northwest suburbs, has always felt connected to the community. During his time within District 21, Sanchez attended Twain Elementary School starting in second grade before moving on…

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Jul 16, 2024

Maya Belorusskiy - ‘20

Maya Belorusskiy has not always been the confident and outgoing individual she is today. She described herself as shy and anxious when looking back on her days at Longfellow Elementary School and Cooper Middle School. Belorusskiy credits her favorite teachers,…

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Apr 10, 2024

Allyson Bremer - '98

Allyson (“Ally”) Bremer didn’t have the best time in middle school. “I was really unhappy and never pictured an opening for myself,” said Bremer. That is, until, London Middle School teacher Miss Brand (now Mrs. Thomas) came into the picture.…

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Jan 9, 2024

Matt Pomilia - '98

Matt Pomilia is earning his second master’s degree. This comes after earning two other degrees from other higher education institutions. Education is important to Pomilia. “It’s the process of self discovery,” says Pomilia. “It’s a way to accentuate yourself…

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Oct 30, 2023

Maggie Khayyata - '20

Maggie Khayyata “Lights Up” (a song from Harry Styles' Fine Line album) when talking about being able to see her favorite artist in concert. Besides her love for Harry there is so much more to know about her. Maggie attended…

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Sep 27, 2023

Joseph Eckert - '93

Joseph Eckert is one of four physical education teachers at Cooper Middle School and believes middle school P.E. is one of the most important classes students take. “Students learn social, cognitive and physical skills when they are doing athletic…

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