The Jefferson Middle School Wildcat Jazz Ensemble visited Schafer Elementary and North Elementary for mini-concerts on March 27, according to an April 15 announcement. Band Director Chris Wallbruch and Orchestra Director Rachel Kayser led the group as they performed for fourth and fifth grade students.
The event aimed to introduce younger students to Jefferson’s music programs and instruments. During a question-and-answer session, students from Schafer and North—referred to as the Sharks and Penguins—asked questions about the band, showing interest in joining future music activities. The school thanked Jefferson Area Bands and Choir, along with staff from Schafer and North, for organizing the visit.
Villa Park School District 45 represents several schools in DuPage County, including Ardmore Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, North Elementary School, Schafer Elementary School, Stevenson School, Westmore Elementary School, and York Center Elementary School according to the Illinois Report Card.
The district had an enrollment of 3,306 students during the 2019-2020 school year. It serves grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Villa Park and DuPage County according to state data. Villa Park District 45 spent $23,216 per student in 2020 with total expenditures reaching $76,753,683 as reported by state education officials.
According to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), there were 224 teachers employed by Villa Park District 45 who earned an average salary of $74,159 before pension contributions; women made up about four-fifths of this workforce according to ISBE data. None of these teachers recorded more than ten absences in a school year.
Student demographics showed that Villa Park District 45 was composed of approximately 43 percent White students; Hispanic students made up over one-third; Black students represented nearly eight percent; Asian students accounted for just over eight percent according to ISBE figures. The chronic truancy rate stood at just under four percent during the same period—well below the statewide average—which means that out of all enrolled students only a small fraction missed five percent or more school days without valid excuse as defined by ISBE standards.
