West40 congratulates Dr. Nick Polyak, superintendent of Leyden High School District 212, for being named the 2026 Illinois Superintendent of the Year by an independent panel commissioned by the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). According to the IASA, nominees are judge d on the following criteria: academic achievement, preparing students for the future, social-emotional support, teaching and instruction and leadership. “Dr. Polyak’s recognition as the 2026 Illinois...

West40 walks alongside students so they can succedd in the classroom and beyond. Recent graduate Melany, who participated in the West40 employability program, describes how working and being trained in an IT position has impacted her life.