Illinois Schools to Close for April 8 Total Solar Eclipse
Multiple schools in Illinois are announcing closures for the upcoming solar eclipse, which will occur on April 8.
According to the Illinois State Board of Education, over 70 school districts in the state have declared April 8 as a “not in attendance” day. Schools are shutting down to accommodate the anticipated traffic and large crowds, allowing families to cherish this potentially once-in-a-lifetime occurrence together.
While many schools will have students absent, the Illinois State Board of Education advises against utilizing e-learning days for this event. E-learning days are generally meant for emergency closures, and the predicted influx of traffic and challenges preceding the solar eclipse do not warrant such a measure.
Classes Canceled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, located in the path of totality for the eclipse, a major festival to celebrate the event will be held, and the university has closed all classes for the day.
On Eclipse Day (Monday, April 8), although the university will be open, there will be no classes. Students are encouraged to participate in the thrilling events and activities scheduled on campus. While all offices will be open throughout the day, a temporary closure may occur in the afternoon to allow everyone to experience the totality of the eclipse.
Other Schools Following Suit
Several other schools in Illinois plan to close or make necessary arrangements for the solar eclipse. This includes Carbondale Elementary School District 95, Carbondale Community High School, Giant City Consolidated School District 130, and Unity Point Community Consolidated School District 140.
Notably, Alton Community Unit School District No. 11 in southern Illinois will have an early dismissal for the eclipse, while Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5 will close entirely.
Closures and similar arrangements for the rare celestial event are being reported in various schools throughout the Midwest, including in Indiana and Ohio.
Full List of Illinois School Closures
- Dieterich CUSD 30
- Effingham CUSD 40
- Golf ESD 67
- South Holland SD 151
- Country Club Hills SD 160
- Marshall CUSD 2C
- Martinsville CUSD 3C
- Truant Alternative Optional Ed
- Safe School Program ROE 12
- North Clay CUSD 25
- Flora CUSD 35
- Palestine CUSD 3
- Jasper County CUD 1
- Red Hill CUSD 10
- Lawrence County CUD 20
- Richland County CUSD 1
- Summersville SD 79
- Mount Vernon SD 80
- Mt Vernon Twp HSD 201
- Bluford Unit School District 318
- Ashley CCSD 15
- Nashville CCSD 49
- Nashville CHSD 99
- ROE 20 Learning Alt Branch School
- ROE20 Learning Alternative Branch
- Edwards County CUSD 1
- Gallatin CUSD 7
- Harrisburg CUSD 3
- Allendale CCSD 17
- New Hope CCSD 6
- Geff CCSD 14
- Jasper CCSD 17
- Wayne City CUSD 100
- Fairfield PSD 112
- North Wayne CUSD 200
- Fairfield Comm H S Dist 225
- Grayville CUSD 1
- Norris City-Omaha-Enfield CUSD 3
- Carmi-White County CUSD 5
- Project Echo Starquest Acad RSSP North
- Benton CCSD 47
- Akin CCSD 91
- Christopher USD 99
- Benton Cons HSD 103
- Ewing Northern CCSD 115
- Frankfort CUSD 168
- Thompsonville CUSD 174
- Zeigler-Royalton CUSD 188
- Sesser-Valier CUSD 196
- Goreville CUD 1
- New Simpson Hill SD 32
- Buncombe Cons SD 43
- Vienna SD 55
- Cypress SD 64
- Vienna HSD 133
- Joppa-Maple Grove UD 38
- Johnston City CUSD 1
- Marion CUSD 2
- Crab Orchard CUSD 3
- Herrin CUSD 4
- Carterville CUSD 5
- Cairo USD 1
- Egyptian CUSD 5
- Five County Reg Voc System
- Carbondale ESD 95
- Giant City CCSD 130
- Elverado CUSD 196
- Century CUSD 100
- Meridian CUSD 101
- Jamp Spec Educ Services
- Cobden SUD 17
- Anna CCSD 37
- Dongola USD 66
- Shawnee CUSD 84
- Waterloo CUSD 5
- Chester CUSD 139
