As schools open and students return to the classroom, 243 students have started the year with a much stronger idea of what their plan is as they prepare to graduate from high school. Boldly characterized by exciting growth and fresh opportunities, the summer internship program placed students from 11 high schools in partnership with School Districts’ U-46, 300, 301, and 303 championed by Northern Kane County Region 110 in hands-on industry experiences. From pilot programs to experienced host sites offering internships consecutively for five years, students explored everything from First Responder careers offered in Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park and Hanover Township municipalities to IT careers sponsored by Microsoft along with offerings in architecture, civil engineering, dentistry, megatronics, pharmacy, teacher preparation, etc.
- Over 14,000 partner volunteer hours invested
- Return on investment to the region’s families and schools of over $700,000
- Additional $240,000 earned by interns
We could not have seen this growth or witnessed the meaningful effect this program has on our students without our amazing industry partners. Thank you to our 55 internship hosts for dedicating their time and resources to create memorable experiences that uplift the younger generation of today and the impactful professionals of tomorrow.
Thank You to Our Internship Hosts
- Advanced Compressor
- Advanced Preschool
- Advocate Sherman and Good Shepherd Hospitals
- Anderson Humane Clinic
- Athletico
- Bartlett Hills Golf Club and Banquets
- Bartlett Park District
- Bartlett Police Department
- Bob Loquercio Auto Group
- Bucher Hydraulics
- Centro de Informacion
- City of Elgin Fire, Police and Administration
- Diamond Physical Therapy
- Downtown Neighborhood Association
- Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce
- Elgin Sweeper
- Elgin Symphony Orchestra
- Explore Elgin Area
- Gather Pingree Grove
- Golden Corridor Family YMCA
- Gowns for Good
- Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc.
- Hanover Park Fire Department
- Hanover Township
- Hanover Township Emergency Services
- Hoffer Plastics
- ITW Shakeproof
- Judson University
- KS Autocare
- Keith French Photography
- Lakeview Precision
- Microsoft
- Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative
- Northern Illinois Special Rec Association
- Office of State Representative, Anna Moeller
- Opiquad
- OrthoIllinois
- Pet Vet Animal Clinic
- Precious Angels
- Rosati’s
- School District 300
- School District 301
- School District U-46
- Service Concepts
- Shales McNutt Construction
- South Elgin Parks and Recreation
- Tails Humane Society
- The Haight
- Two Rivers Head Start
- Village of Bartlett
- Village of Hanover Park
- VNA Health Care
- Well Child Center
- West Side Tractor
- Wintrust
- WT Group
If your organization is interested in offering internships for Summer 2026, please contact Nancy Coleman at colemanace@align4edu.org or Terry Stroh at terry.stroh@central301.net for further information.
Article by Annabelle Mique
Alignment Collaborative for Education Staff
ACE is a member of the Alignment USA communities of collaboration and collective impact.
