District Snapshot
District Snapshot
The River Bend Community Unit School District #2 serves the communities of Fulton, Garden Plain and Albany. Our primarily rural 80 square mile district is located in northwest Illinois. The River Bend Community District is comprised of four schools. The Fulton blended pre-school that serves about 60 special needs and regular education students ages three and four. Fulton Elementary School serves 390 students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. River Bend Middle School serves 215 students in grades sixth through eighth. Fulton High School serves 290 students in grades nine through twelve. The communities within the River Bend School District are proud of their schools and support the students in many ways.
The School District’s mission is to provide the highest quality of education possible while meeting the individual needs and goals of each student and family. A high priority is placed on helping learners prepare for college and/or a career that will allow students to be productive, contributing citizens. Our objective is to provide a safe, secure setting that allows students to grow and thrive. We also seek to utilize the most advanced instructional strategies that prepare students to be 21st century leaders.
The River Bend School District has approximately 70 certified teachers and a student to teacher ratio of 19/1. Our average class size is 21, and 47% of the teaching staff have a master’s degree or higher. The River Bend School District continues to work hard at making our educational environment one that supports students at all levels.
River Bend Schools are able to maintain an excellent reputation in Northwest Illinois through a commitment to 21st Century educational practices. River Bend has been a 1:1 technology district since 2015. Students are provided Chromebooks in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students in grades K-5 keep their devices at the school while students in grades 6-12 have access to their issued devices at school and at home. River Bend uses Canvas as a learning management tool that assists in accessing electronic curriculum. The district recently piloted e-learning days and hopes to continue these practices when making up school days are necessary.
River Bend Schools offer a wide range of academic, arts, and athletic activities. Illinois Learning Standards guide the curriculum in all grades. Electronic platforms are utilized throughout the district to deliver content. Textbooks are used to supplement the electronic curriculum. In the 2018/2019 school year, the district was recognized as an ISBE competency pilot district. The district is in the process of creating and using competencies based on the Illinois Learning Standards to guide instruction. Core instruction in reading, math, writing, science, and social studies is supported by social emotional curriculum, art programming K-12, and physical education K-12. River Bend Middle School and Fulton High School offer a variety of electives and offer high school seniors an opportunity to earn credit through a work-study program. Dual credit and AP programming are also available, and students are encouraged to take advantage of the early college opportunities.
River Bend Schools are very grateful and enjoy the support of several foundations and booster organizations. Teachers are able to access grants through the River Bend Education Foundation, Ottens Memorial Foundation, EASY, Timkin Foundation, FACE (Fulton Area Community Enrichment), and CF Industries. The River Bend Athletic Boosters supports student athletes, coaches, and the school district through financial giving and support. The River Bend Music Boosters also supports the arts and music programming throughout the district.
River Bend Schools: Where everybody is somebody