Hallways are more packed than ever, lunch lines stretch across the cafeteria and classrooms that were meant for 25 students are now filled with 30 or more. As Plainfield’s population grows, so do its schools, and a solution may be on the horizon.

Although there has not been an official announcement sent out, the School Plainfield District 202 Board is considering the construction of a new school to ease overcrowding at Plainfield’s middle and high schools. As transfer and exchange students continue to arrive, and newly hired teachers at North are not granted their own classroom spaces, local educators and officials are urging for immediate relief. The addition of a new Plainfield West High School or another middle school could provide much-needed space for students and teachers alike. 

“The district has seen a substantial increase in enrollment over the past few years,” Superintendent of District 202 Dr. Glenn Wood said. “And it can be a real strain on both our resources and the quality of education we can provide.”

In comparison to Plainfield East High School, North has experienced some of the worst effects of this overcrowding with new faculty members having to resort to shifting in and out of different classrooms; this issue makes it inconvenient to navigate in between passing periods.

“Our community deserves long-term solutions and not temporary fixes,” Wood said. “A new middle school, or perhaps a second high school, would go a long way toward addressing the needs of our growing population.”

The influx of transfer and exchange students has also contributed to the overcrowding situation. Many students are arriving from neighboring areas, either seeking specific programs or because their previous schools have hit capacity. 

“We’re happy to welcome new students,” Wood said. “However, we need the infrastructure to support them.”

Despite these challenges, Plainfield School District 202 is working toward finding a balance between accommodating the growing student body and maintaining a high quality of education. In addition to potentially building a new school, they’re considering restructuring existing schools to better distribute students across the district.

“Our main goal is to make sure every student has the opportunity to thrive in an environment that fosters learning whatever decision is made,” Wood said. “If that means building new schools, we are prepared to take that step.”