The City of St. Charles is a thriving community that boasts a high quality of life for its residents. In the City's most recent community survey, 99% of residents felt that St. Charles is an excellent or good place to live.
Arts & Entertainment
St. Charles offers a mix of cultural and entertainment attractions that are supported by a strong sense of community engagement. The City is home to a wide variety of theaters, performance venues, and fine art galleries, providing the perfect opportunity to become immersed in the local art scene. The St. Charles Arts Council, a 501(c)3 organization, is heavily involved in promoting local art. The Arts Council has featured several public art and sculpture exhibitions around town, further contributing to the City's artistic atmosphere.
The St. Charles Business Alliance hosts several large-scale community events throughout the year that have become a popular destination for families throughout the Chicagoland area. Multi-day festivals, such as the Jazz Weekend and Scarecrow Fest, draw in thousands of visitors a day.
Parks & Recreation
St. Charles is known as a destination for outdoor recreation. The Fox River, which runs through the heart of downtown St. Charles, provides the perfect landscape for a variety of outdoor activities. The Fox River Trail runs north and south from St. Charles, and runs along the scenic river from start to finish. Boating and fishing are also prevalent along the river.
The St. Charles Park District is a vital asset to the area and has received significant recognition and awards for parks and programming. The Park District maintains more than 40 acres of green space, including approximately 60 parks and over 20 miles of trails. The Park District also organizes special events and free programming for the community, including a summer concert series.
School District D303
School District 303 serves approximately 12,000 Pre K thru 12 students and is the only school in St. Charles. school district in St. Charles highly regarded for its strong educational performance and commitment to student success. The district demonstrates academic excellence with over 80% of students meeting or exceeding state standards in reading and math. Schools within the district, consistently receive high ratings for their rigorous curricula and college readiness programs. With a graduation rate exceeding 95%, the district effectively supports its students through to graduation and beyond. Furthermore, District 303 excels in preparing students for higher education and careers, with a significant percentage of graduates attending prestigious colleges and participating in valuable career readiness programs. The district is also known for its innovative educational programs, including advanced placement and STEM initiatives, and invests in modern facilities and resources to enhance learning. The district operates 12 elementary school buildings, including one early childhood center, one primary school (K-2), one intermediate school (3-5), two middle schools, two high schools and Compass Academy.