Niles North High School in Niles Township High School District 219 started the school year with a new three-story building addition that features spaces dedicated to student services. Construction for the building cost $23 million and took about 17 months to complete.After 17 months of construction at Niles North High School in Skokie and a $24.
The addition also has a light-filled student commons on the third floor with nine learning studios along the side of it. Those learning spaces are in addition to the net gain of seven classrooms the addition provided, according to April Stallworth, District 219′s Executive Director of Communications & Partnerships.
The addition’s first floor holds a new main office and deans’ offices adjacent to the rooms meant for conducting restorative practices for resolving conflicts or for students who might be facing disciplinary issues. Stressing the school’s emphasis on mental wellness, he said, “Our focus on student mental fitness is crucial for our students to be engaged learners who feel supported when difficulties arise, especially in a post-pandemic world. Feeling supported is also critical to instilling that sense of connection and belonging that we strive for with our students.
The third floor of the new building, called the Skyloft, hosts a huge, high-ceilinged commons area with natural light and conversational groupings of sofas, chairs and tables, which seniors can frequent during their lunch periods and study hall. The nine learning studios are off to the sides of the commons.