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District 202 high school juniors have the opportunity to apply for the Horizon Summer Learning Grant, which is aimed at supporting academic experiences outside the classroom. The grant is offered by the Plainfield School District Foundation for Excellence and provides awards totaling up to $6,000 for students from District 202’s four high schools and Plainfield Academy, the district’s alternative high school. The amount awarded to each student will depend on the applications received and available funding.
The grants are intended to help cover costs for summer enrichment programs, including registration, travel, lodging, meals, and materials. Eligible programs must take place between June 1 and August 10, 2026. Applications are due by April 10, 2026, and recipients will be announced by May 4, 2026. Students interested in applying can do so online at https://forms.gle/UMreVYao5V6AuufSA.
Foundation Chairperson Matt Starr stated, “The Horizon Summer Learning Grant is a great way to empower students to pursue their passions and take learning into their own hands. We’re proud to support experiences that spark inspiration and prepare students for a successful future.”
Anthony Mekhael, a member of the Plainfield East High School class of 2025, shared his experience: “I am so grateful for the Horizon Summer Learning Grant, which enabled my research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago.”
The Horizon Grant program began in 2012 as part of the Foundation’s mission to promote academic innovation and excellence for all District 202 learners. Since its founding in 1983, the Plainfield School District Foundation for Excellence has invested nearly $1.2 million in support of District 202 students and educators through classroom grants, scholarships, and special programs. The Foundation also supports initiatives such as the District Art Gallery and high school leadership programs. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.d202foundation.org.
Plainfield East High School, one of the schools eligible for this grant, had an enrollment of 2,162 students in the 2019-2020 school year. Of these students, approximately 24 percent were in grade 11 during that year. The school serves grades 9 through 12 and is located in Plainfield in Will County. The student body during that period was composed of about 42 percent white students, 16 percent black students, 26 percent Hispanic students, and 11 percent Asian students. Additional demographic information can be found on the Illinois Report Card website at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
