Leyden Pride

Mar 31 - Apr 4 - No School - Spring Break

April 18 - No School

May 17 - 100th Anniversary Family Picnic

May 20 - West Graduation

May 21 - East Graduation

May 23 - Last day of school

Link: Subscribe to the Leyden calendar

Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open and required for every student returning to Leyden next school year. All parents/guardians have received a special access code (snapcode) by email and U.S. mail to use to begin the enrollment process. An invoice will be generated upon completion of the enrollment process in Home Access Center (HAC) for returning students, or on our website for new students. These school fees can be paid online through MySchoolBucks.

All incoming freshmen, transfer students, and other families who have been asked to submit proof of residency may do so electronically and are required to complete this process prior to enrolling.

Please contact the school offices with questions or concerns:

East Leyden High School: 847.451.2067
West Leyden High School: 847.451.5586

Four summer sessions of the driver education behind-the-wheel program will be held at East Leyden, with registration opening on April 1.

Session 1

Monday, June 2 - Thursday, June 12

Session 2

Monday, June 16 - Friday, June 27

*No Instruction: Monday, June 19

-No Instruction: June 30 to July 4-

Session 3

Monday, July 7 - Thursday, July 17

Session 4

Monday, July 21 - Thursday, July 31

All sessions offer three time slots:

7:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Registration opens April 1 and ends on April 30, however sessions do fill up so early registration is encouraged. The cost for the session is $250 and payment is due at time of registration. Register at the MySchoolBucks Website, MySchoolBucks Mobile App, or the Bookstore Cashier located at either campus.

For questions regarding in-seat driver education classes taken during the school year, please contact Department Chair Chris Cook ccook@leyden212.org.

For questions regarding summer behind-the-wheel instruction, please contact Dean Dennis Byrne dbyrne@leyden212.org.

Link: Registration

All students, regardless of family income, receive free breakfast and lunch while at school. Leyden has qualified under the community eligibility provision for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program to provide meals for free. Students wishing to purchase additional items outside the daily offerings or a second lunch may do so at their own expense.

Through the Illinois State Board of Education, parents have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the important elements of Leyden’s school effectiveness in a state survey called 5Essentials. The input provides Leyden administrators with important information that helps to better understand our parents, students and staff. We encourage parents to please share feelings, insights, and perspective with us via this survey, which will open tomorrow and remain open through March 31.

Link: Take Survey

In order to remain compliant with this state requirement, Leyden needs a minimum of 20-percent participation from parents. (At this time, we have approximately 14-percent.) Input is kept confidential and helps us understand our families and as we make decisions moving forward.

On Wednesday, March 19, Dr. Bryan Pearlman presents, “From Struggles to Success: Foster Goal Setting, Responsibility and Compromise.”

Link: Information

On Thursday, March 20, Dr. Mario Guzmán presents, "IN-PERSON B-PAC in Spanish: Ayudar a su hijo a prosperar y encontrar un propósito en tiempos dificiles/Helping Your Child Flourish and Find Purpose in Challenging Times."

Link: Information

This month's One Amazing Story features the legacy of Leyden's music program, which has shaped students into skilled musicians who go on to pursue professional careers in performance, education, and the arts. Alumni frequently credit their success to the strong foundation built within these halls, where passion and dedication are nurtured. Current students not only refine their musical abilities but also form lasting connections with classmates, creating a supportive and inspiring environment. Beyond the school, the community thrives on the program’s impact, with concerts, events, and outreach initiatives bringing people together through the power of music. This nationally recognized, award-winning department continues to inspire new generations, proving that music at Leyden is more than a program—it’s a lifelong journey.

Link: Watch Video

East Leyden Senior Jackie Diaz and West Leyden Senior Andrea Lopez have been accepted into the Golden Apple Scholars Program. Golden Apple Scholars receive mentoring support from teachers who are part of the Golden Apple network. This program recruits and prepares high school graduates for teaching careers in high needs schools throughout Illinois and provides scholarships to students pursuing teaching degrees.

East Leyden Inductees: Maria Aldana, Jesus Andrade, Sophia Arguezo, Olivia Brodowski, Karolina Chowaniec, Eduardo Cuevas, Anesa Dawud, Jonathan De La Torre, Olivia Dogic, Julia Galazka, Jacob Ganir, Dominic Ganir, Ivianna Giuliano, Emelie Gutierrez, Jack Helms, Lesly Herrera, Emily Kafka, Patrycja Klich, Alexa Lorens, Gianna Martorana, Madison Ortiz, Ashley Oseguera, Emily Perez, Lilia Podolska, Andres Rios, Zaniya Rockett, Jenna Rodrigo, Elvis Ruelas, Lily Salgado, Brianna Sandoval, Alicja Smoter, David Soto, Izabella Szwedo, Gabriela Torres, William Torres, Michelle Trinh, Julia Zorniak and Gabriela Zujko.

West Leyden Inductees: Oluwasubomi Akinola, Yarely Astorga, Sarai Bautista, Fatima Becerra-Sanchez, Luis Castellanos, Michele Chaidez, Julian Cisneros, Breanne Elise Cleofas, Julio DeSantiago, Daniel Domagalski, Patryk Drwal, Mohamed El-Hindi, Madison Ellison, Yamileth Espinoza, Nathalie Estrada, Josue Fajardo Rosa, Santino Falco, Oliver Flores, Patrick Giedrojc, Emilie Karas, Isabella Laira Lara Juarez, Andrea Lopez, Emily Mancha Garcia, Briana Martinez, Lizbeth Mejia, Melanie Itzel Mendoza, Andrea Meza-Jimenez, Diana Meza-Jimenez, Anaya Molina, Maria Morales Huerta, Jessy Nguyen, Hector Nuñez, Yvonne Ocampo, Natalie Pera, Daniel Perez, Sophia Rodriguez, Lexi Salkeld, Antonina Saminska, Alexis Sanchez-Franco, Jacqueline Sandoval, Nathan Santoyo, Kristy Serrano, Kaylani Torres, Princess Trinidad, Molly Turacek, Giovanni Urbieta, Jocelyn Urcino, Alexa Vargas and Piotr Wojtasik.

East Leyden junior Maddie Ortiz made history, winning the first-ever Team U.S.A. World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Sweden this past weekend. This is the first time the U.S. team has won the championship, at any level.

Ortiz, who has been ice skating since the age of three, when she first saw the Olympics on T.V., has been training for 14 years leading up to this moment. Often requiring flexibility from Leyden to accommodate her rigorous training schedule of 5-6 days a week, 2-4 hours a day, Ortiz remained committed to academics. She is “good at math, and wishes she were better at physics.”

From the look of her medals, she is pretty amazing at physics, on the ice at least. Synchronized skating is a blend of all skating disciplines, including singles, ice dance, and couples. It requires a variety of strengths, including ballet, dance, conditioning, and of course, ice skating. Ortiz trains as an individual to build her skills, and then puts it all together with a team of 20 other athletes (the 16 best skaters perform) for the competition.

Joining this team in 2020 at the juvenile level, she progressed upward in levels quickly, and competes at the junior level which is for ages 14-19. She will continue to skate with this team, composed of athletes from across the Chicagoland area, for the next year, while she decides her next pursuits.

Ortiz is scheduled to be featured in Leyden’s One Amazing Story series this May.

On March 13 and 14, author Mindy McGinnis visited East and West Leyden to meet with students, conduct writing workshops, and present during Eagle Time advisories. McGinnis is a very well-known young adult author having written over a dozen novels and multiple short stories, and many Leyden English classes, as well as the Bibliotherapy Group have read her texts.

Taxpayers can file their taxes quickly, easily and for free directly with the IRS using IRS Direct File. The web-based service, available in English and Spanish, offers guided help for preparing and filing a federal tax return from a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Direct File is easy to use and helps eligible taxpayers:

• File a 2024 federal tax return for free directly with the IRS.

• Save time by opting in to having information imported from their IRS account, including personal information and W-2 if available.

• Claim certain credits and deductions.

• Add tax information with step-by-step guidance.

• Chat with IRS Direct File customer support in English or Spanish.

• Prepare returns from smartphones, laptops, tablets and desktop computers
  
  

Taxpayers can go to directfile.irs.gov to check eligibility and see if Direct File is a good fit.

Direct File doesn't prepare state returns. Once taxpayers have completed their federal tax return, Direct File automatically guides them to state services to complete their state taxes.

Link: Watch Video

Email: pr@leyden212.org
Website: www.leyden212.org
Location: 3400 Rose Street, Franklin Park, IL, USA
Phone: 847-451-3000
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Twitter: @leydenpride212

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