Lake County Gazette

Lake Forest School District 67 announced that Cherokee Elementary School's fourth-grade students celebrated spring with a musical event featuring performances by the orchestra and the entire class.

According to Lake Forest School District 67, Cherokee’s fourth-grade orchestra opened the Spring Sing event with a musical performance. This was followed by the entire fourth-grade class participating in a group presentation that marked the season with songs and celebration. The event also included the announcement of this year’s Daniel Jaekel Heart of Gold Award recipients—Cressida Burd and Emma Cherry—who were jointly honored for demonstrating fairness, kindness, fellowship, and compassion. The award is named after a former Cherokee student and was given to two students for the first time this year in recognition of their contributions to the school community.

Cherokee Elementary School, established in 1962 and located at 475 E. Cherokee Rd. in Lake Forest, Illinois, serves students in kindergarten through fourth grade, with an enrollment of about 325 students. According to Lake Forest Schools, the school’s colors are navy blue and gold, and the mascot is "Champ" the Cheetah. It is part of District 67 and features links to various district resources including curriculum, health services, transportation, registration, and social-emotional learning (SEL).

Cherokee offers both Mandarin immersion and Spanish language programs as part of its academic curriculum. The school emphasizes inclusive instruction and student engagement through a range of learning experiences. According to Lake Forest Schools, school events throughout the year are supported by the APT and Spirit of 67 Foundation, which fund various programs. Principal Cavanaugh highlights collaboration among staff, students, and families to maintain a safe and academically focused environment.

Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 serves approximately 1,600 students in grades Pre-K through 8. The district includes three elementary schools—Cherokee Elementary (K-4), Everett Elementary (K-4), and Sheridan Elementary (Pre-K-4)—as well as Deer Path Middle School (5-8). Known for its innovative instructional practices, District 67 emphasizes inclusive education and personalized learning experiences that support academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development. According to Lake Forest Schools, the district’s mission is to inspire and empower students to maximize growth and cultivate respect for others in a dynamic, safe learning environment.