Lake County Gazette

During Principal Appreciation Month, the Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 community has recognized Kristin Cummings, principal of Prospect Elementary School, for her leadership and commitment to education.

Principal Cummings has led Prospect Elementary since July 2018. The district acknowledged her efforts in supporting student success and growth over the past seven years.

The district highlighted one of her recent achievements: "The district is proud to celebrate Principal Cummings's remarkable achievements, including her recognition as a finalist for the prestigious 2025 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership. This honor, for which she was chosen among 85 nominees statewide, acknowledges her exemplary performance in school leadership, her ability to create a culture of inclusivity, and her consistent delivery of dramatic student growth."

Her focus on fostering a positive learning environment was also noted by the district: "Principal Cummings's dedication to fostering a positive learning environment where every student can thrive is deeply appreciated. Her energy, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic have undoubtedly contributed to the success of Prospect Elementary. Her leadership in guiding colleagues in a collaborative environment focused on meaningful learning experiences stands as a testament to her commitment to excellence."

Prospect Elementary School is one of several schools represented by Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 across DuPage and Cook counties. Other schools include Clarendon Hills Middle School, Elm Elementary School, Hinsdale Middle School, Madison Elementary School, Monroe Elementary School, Oak Elementary School, The Lane Elementary School, and Walker School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education, District 181 employs 282 teachers with an average salary of $94,227 before pension contributions; ninety percent are women and ten percent are men. No teacher had more than ten absences in a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

The student population within District 181 is nearly seventy percent White; other groups include Asian students at just over fifteen percent, Hispanic students at nearly seven percent, and Black students at about one percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

In fiscal year 2020, District 181 spent $31,308 per student with total expenditures reaching $117 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).