Lake County Gazette

West Oak students have launched a new initiative called Howl & Brew, a student-led leadership program that aims to provide practical learning experiences on campus. The program allows students to take on professional roles and develop skills such as financial literacy, money management, planning, collaboration, and service.

The Howl & Brew team is described as more than just a coffee crew. It functions as a leadership group where students can strengthen their social and leadership abilities while serving the school community.

"Through this hands-on experience, students are learning what it means to plan, collaborate, and serve others all while fueling their school community with positivity and purpose," according to the statement from West Oak.

Diamond Lake School District 76 includes Fairhaven School, West Oak Intermediate School, and West Oak Middle School in Lake County. More information about the district can be found at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, Diamond Lake School District 76 employs 92 teachers with an average salary of $63,832 before pension contributions. Of these teachers, 91.4 percent are women and 8.6 percent are men. No teacher in the district has more than ten absences in a school year. Further details are available at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.

Demographically, the district's student population is composed of 20.4 percent White students, 2.8 percent Black students, 68.2 percent Hispanic students, and 5.3 percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

In 2020, Diamond Lake School District 76 spent $27,115 per student for a total expenditure of $24,891,212 (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

At West Oak, there is recognition for students who take initiative through programs like Howl & Brew: "At West Oak, we’re proud to see our students take the lead, work together, and make their mark through innovative programs like Howl & Brew."