Western Area Career System 265: Top Public High School in Macomb IL (2026 List)

About Western Area Career System 265

Western Area Career System 265 is a premier public vocational/technical school located in Macomb, Illinois. We serve area high school students in grades 11 and 12. It's a very well respected career-oriented school with hands-on learning and a supportive 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The center is considered one of the top workforce development schools with specialized programs in health sciences, automotive technology and industrial arts.Western Area Career System 265 serves a diverse student population and is considered one of the best schools because of its dedication to helping economically disadvantaged learners through industry-aligned training. Specific Mathematics and Reading achievement data is normally reported back to students’ home districts. The school is known for its high graduation rates and certification opportunities. The school is highly regarded within the community for instilling technical excellence and continues to be one of the most respected schools for closing the gap between secondary education and career success, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 0%

Reading 0%

State average proficiency is 0% in Math and 0% in Reading.

0

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Western Area Career System 265 Contact Information

Address

130 S Lafayette St Ste 200, Macomb, IL, 61455

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Phone

(309) 221-6390

Call Now

Website

https://www.roe26.net/wacs

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:30 AM to 2:45 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:15 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Western Area Career System 265, serving Macomb and surrounding districts, links high school students to 18 Career and Technical Education programs through the Technology Center of DuPage and local partners. The system is also handling dual credit, industry certifications and licensure opportunities, including healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and culinary arts with bus transportation from Macomb after fourth period. Western Illinois University’s Center for Career Preparation works with the system to host career fairs, including the All-Major Career and Internship Fair on October 7, 2025 and a Public Safety Career Fair on September 23, 2025, giving students direct access to employers and internships.

FAQ

Q1. Are there students from many different backgrounds at the school?

Ans. Yes, the school has a very diverse group of students.

Q2. Does the school offer counseling or therapy?

Ans. Yes, the school offers counseling, behavioral support, and intervention services all in one place.

Q3. Does Western Area Career System 265 have Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes?

Ans. Yes, the school offers CTE classes and optional programs.

Q4. Is it possible for students to take the SAT and ACT?

Ans. Yes, the school lets students who want to go to college take the SAT and the ACT.

Q5. Does Western Area Career System 265 have activities outside of school?

Ans. Yes, students can participate in sports, clubs, the arts, and leadership programs.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

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What Parents Say