Ford Heights School District 169 Office: (708) 758-1370

What We Believe

District Mission Statement

The mission of Ford Heights School District 169, which services students Pre-kindergarten through Eighth Grade, is to foster a quality educational program through the implementation of four (4) action components:

  1. School Environment,

  2. Curriculum Instruction,

  3. Parent/Community Involvement, and

  4. Staff Development


District 169 is committed to providing cognitive and effective services for all its students. It is the belief of the District that every student can learn, given the appropriate circumstances, conditions, opportunities, commitment, environment, and desireto learn.

The Learning Environment


The administration, faculty and staff of Ford Heights Schools embrace the ideal that all children are entitled to an education that prepares them for success in an ever changing world. We strive daily to uphold the thoughts of renowned educator, Dr. Asa Hilliard who states, “I have never encountered any children in any group who are not geniuses. There is no mystery on how to teach them. The first thing you do is treat them like human beings and the second thing you do is love them.”

All faculty and staff work together as a team to ensure that our goals are reinforced daily. We also make sure that students are respected as we embrace the various differences in their personalities. We strive to put measures in place that allow our students to thrive as individuals without interrupting the flow of learning for others.

In order to create an environment where learning is welcomed, we have outlined expectations for our students. These expectations are not designed to impede the growth of any individual student. Instead, they are facilitated to allow for the positive growth and development of every student. In so doing, teachers are empowered to teach and students are enabled to learn. Our guiding motto is: “Success in School – Our Most Important Business.”


We expect our students to reflect that philosophy throughout every day.

Therefore, we ask that they practice the following habits:

  1. Be motivated, encouraged and challenged to learn daily;

  2. Exemplify appropriate behavior at all times;

  3. Follow district, school and classroom rules;

  4. Uphold our tenets of behavior: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, Be a Leader.