Where is Winnetka, Illinois?

Hubbard Woods School is one of three elementary schools (JK / K - 4) in the Winnetka Public School District. Our current enrollment reflects a steady increase in enrollment over the past several years. The majority of our students live with both parents and enjoy an enriched family life. All of the Winnetka Public Schools share the same philosophy of instruction which is developmental in nature and defined by the individual needs of children. The needs of each child change over time, thereby requiring a flexible response from the school setting. Hubbard Woods has housed various age ranges of children. To explore Hubbard Woods School is to discover the many nooks and crannies that lend it warmth and charm as well as preserve its memories. Mann Park, with its council ring (named for Principal James Mann), is often used for gatherings. The drinking fountain in the kindergarten room was designed by the students in memory of Winifred Weedon, the kindergarten teacher from 1920-1956. The mobile in the library was commissioned from Joseph Burlini in recognition of Rosemary Beyer's years as principal. And there is the ever-present raccoon, elected as mascot by the students in 1976. Until 1915 the children in the northern part of Winnetka received their elementary education at Lakeside School, a two story frame structure at the corner of Burr and Tower Roads. This school was also known as Miss Elliott's school, named after its only teacher. By 1912, despite the recent installation of electric lights and running water, Lakeside School was regarded as inadequate, and plans for a new school were drafted. Completed in 1915, the new school consisted of the auditorium and four classrooms and was known as Skokie School and housed kindergarten through 8th grade students. Its entrance faced south onto a courtyard. More than modern for its time, the school was designed to blend with its surroundings and to express the feeling that the school environment should be less severe. Each classroom had a skylight and its own outside entrance. In 1918, two classrooms and rooms for manual training and domestic science were added and served children in grades K-6. Also, the north wing, consisting of the present entrance, four classrooms, an office, a teacher's room, and a kitchenette, was completed. In 1924, to avoid confusion with the newly erected Skokie Junior High School, the name was changed to Hubbard Woods School. Hubbard Woods was named after Gilbert Hubbard who arrived in Winnetka in 1871 after the Chicago fire. Mr. Hubbard was employed in the ship trading business. In 1925, the west corridor with five classrooms and a kindergarten room was added. This section included a basement, combination shop, and bicycle room, which children referred to as the "wheel house." In 1930, the south wing, including the gymnasium and the area beneath, three classrooms, and rooms for science and crafts, was completed. In 1958, there began a gradual shift to a K-5th grade school, which was completed in 1963. During the transition period, some 6th graders attended Hubbard Woods School, while some went on to Skokie. When Washburne School was completed, Hubbard Woods became a K-4th grade school. In 1965, the entrance and north side of the building were extensively landscaped in honor of the school's 50th anniversary. In 1978, as the population declined, a school was closed, and K-5th graders were again placed in Hubbard Woods School. As well in 1978, new playground equipment was installed as the result of contributions of Hubbard Woods' parents and friends. In keeping with the original concept of blending aesthetically with the area, the equipment was constructed primarily of natural materials. In 1991, the former gymnasium was converted to a resource center/computer lab. A new gymnasium was added to the south side of the school. The next building project was completed in 1999 when the music room was built and several classrooms were renovated. Once again, the playground was completely refurbished during the summer of 1999 (room 24 expanded, rooms 10 and 11 reconfigured, bay window addition to room 10). One piece of equipment does remain from our original playground; the metal frame climber. The climber was created in the early 1920's by Carlton Washburne to give children a 3-D experience. In response to rising enrollments in all Winnetka schools, Hubbard Woods School has returned to serving K - 4th grade students, with Skokie School housing 5th and 6th grade students in August 2000. Due to the grade level reconfiguration, the mobile classroom was removed and the front office was renovated. WGST 6, our own Hubbard Woods television studio, was created in Janury 2002. Students from third and fourth grades now produce a daily news shows throughout the school year! To learn more about the tv studio click here.  Hubbard Woods has had eight principals: Glenna Griffith (1916-1921); Marion Carswell (1921-1939); James Mann (1939-1961); Rosemary Beyer (1961-1978); William Meuer (1978-1983); Richard Streedain 1983-1994); John Eller(1994-1997), and Maureen Cheever (1997-Present)