Just because a school day is over doesn't mean students aren't alone after the dismissal bell rings. Sterling Township has a place where local students in middle school and high school can gather for fun and frolic with new friends.

Students in Sterling head back to class Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, for the first day of the school year.

The Illinois State Board of Education’s announcement of a $15.85 billion education budget for fiscal 2026 has drawn cautious optimism from Sterling Public Schools as the district awaits final details of its allocation under the state’s evidence-based funding (EBF) formula.

Just steps from Sterling High School and Challand Middle School, Whiteside Area Career Center students are earning certifications, college credits and real-world experience through hands-on training in a variety of fields, such as healthcare, construction and culinary arts.

With the first full day of school quickly approaching on Thursday, Aug. 14, Sterling Public Schools has a few important events you might not want to miss.

Franklin Elementary and Challand Middle schools were recently awarded a Readers’ Choice Grant from the Association of Illinois School Library Educators/LBSS Endowment Fund.

The shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Auditorium.

A Rock Falls High School athlete who suffered a broken neck that left him partially paralyzed during a March 15 track meet has filed a lawsuit against Sterling’s park district, the Sterling School District and Rock Falls High School District in connection with the injury.

Sterling High School students Nico Battaglia, Brinley Francis and Esra Ramirez were named recipients of the 2025 Garrett Ramos Scholarship during the June 2, 2025, Sterling City Council meeting. Ramos died in the line of duty on Dec. 4, 2021.

The Illinois College & Career Pathway Endorsement Program allows students to earn a formal endorsement on their high school diploma or transcript by completing a series of structured requirements designed to prepare them for life after high school in their chosen career path.

The five were recognized as students of the month for April.

Challand Middle School’s art program offers students a range of classes, from drawing to painting and printmaking to sculpture.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost for all three phases was projected at $9.72 million. That number has since grown to $13.8 million, district officials say.

As part of a school science project, Lincoln’s fifth-grade students designed and built egg drop devices to simulate a Mars space landing mission.

Nolan Baker is a social studies teacher at Sterling High School and also serves as its head wrestling coach. Zhane Baker is an advanced placement English teacher at SHS.

Megan Grady, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Sterling's Challand Middle School, uses competition and interactive curriculum to keep kids engaged in history.

Brian Lobdell is a second grade teacher at Sterling’s Franklin Elementary School. He transitioned into his career at Sterling schools years ago after spending a decade as a stay-at-home dad.

As a young boy, Jeff Mohr witnessed his sister being robbed of the money she’d collected from selling candy bars for a church fundraiser. That theft led their parents to call the police and, ultimately, inspired Mohr to become a police officer. He will retire June 17.

A federal program is working behind the scenes to ensure students experiencing homelessness, including those in the Sauk Valley, do not fall between the cracks.

Natalie Eddinger plans to become a pediatric cardiologist.

The married fighter pilots, both currently stationed in northern Japan, fly F-16 training missions together, serving their country while navigating military life side by side in the air and at home.

The free after-school program is held at Sterling Township’s Elevate Youth Center, 505 W. Lynn Blvd.

Voters this week in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Jefferson Elementary School students have been taking a closer look at the rainforest to boost their language arts and science skills.

Madison Austin is attending Illinois State University next year to play basketball and study recreation and sports management.

DaVonte Heckman plans to attend Augustana College in Rock Island and eventually become a veterinarian.

The ag program offers a variety of interactive classes, including crop and animal sciences, agriculture mechanics, horticulture, woodworking and landscape design.

New Sterling alderman Allen Przysucha on consolidated election win: ‘It still hasn’t fully sunk in yet.’

Sterling Public Schools' Assistant Superintendent Sara Dail will replace Tad Everett when he retires June 1, 2028.

The show brought in 55 high school students submitting 88 pieces of work with mediums ranging from charcoal to ceramic and paint to pen.

Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

The Next Picture Show in Dixon held its first student art show with an awards ceremony Friday, March 28, 2025, at the downtown gallery. Fifty-five high school students submitted works for the show.

The contest play entry took second place and group interpretation took third in their respective events at the Huntley High School Sectional. 

Purchased through a grant from the Sterling Schools Foundation and a read-a-thon fundraiser, the machine was officially dedicated Tuesday, March 25.

Through a grant and a read-a-thon fundraiser, Lincoln School in Sterling was able to install a book vending machine for its students.

Candidates Julie Aitken, Pamela Capes, Tyler Holesinger and Savannah Mussington answered questions, some of which were submitted by the public.

Nearly three years ago, Sterling Public Schools decided to release its students early once a week to find a way to help those who were struggling academically. According to district officials, the move is paying off with rising proficiency scores.

The Whiteside Area Career Center has named its students of the month for February.

Pam Capes: Continuing education and honest conversations with our students regarding cyber bullying and inappropriate content is ongoing. Removal of the cell phones during the day could potentially reduce those types of interactions significantly.

Julie Aitken: At the end of the day, we want each of our schools to have the necessary tools to reach the best educational outcomes for our students.

SHS English teacher Lauren Fritz said the Knitty Gritty Project teaches students how to knit scarves, which are then donated to local elementary schools. Fritz’s students recently donated 105 scarves to Franklin Elementary School — enough for every first-grade student.

Eleanor Aitken plans to earn her degree in environmental education and interpretation from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and hopes to become an interpretive National Park Ranger.

Teams have six weeks to design, build and test a robot that can complete the competition goals. The robots must meet specific guidelines and perform various tasks during the competition, such as picking up and placing objects while navigating obstacles.

Students in Sterling and Dixon engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities Thursday, March 6, 2025, at their respective schools.

Sterling Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Sara Dail said SPS University was created to address a decline in the number of teachers applying to work at Sterling schools.

Jefferson Elementary Principal Heather Wittenauer said Friday that the pre-kindergarten centers help make the transition to full-day kindergarten easier by teaching students preliminary skills needed to be a good student.

Sterling High School will present the musical “Catch Me if You Can” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 1 and at 2 p.m. March 2 at Centennial Auditorium at Sterling High School.

While some school districts struggle to get students involved in music, that is not the case for Challand, where over 60% of sixth, seventh and eighth graders are involved in the music department, according to band teacher Nicole Oberg.

Sterling High School puts the finishing touches on rehearsal for their musical "Catch Me if You Can." Show times are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 1 and 2 p.m. March 2 at Centennial Auditorium. Photos by Katie Holloway - Shaw Local News Network

Challand Middle School STEM teacher Logan Shearer said her class uses hands-on activities, projects and teamwork to explore the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in a fun and engaging manner.