Every Student Initiative

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Peoria Riverfront Museum's Every Student Initiative

Established in 2017, the Every Student Initiative (ESI) is the innovative, flagship program with a goal to engage every student from every public, private and homeschool organization in Central Illinois with a curriculum-connected visit to the Peoria Riverfront Museum every year. The program now includes free family passes for every student and complimentary Museum memberships for sponsored educators. The Every Student Initiative was launched with a multiple year grant from the Barton Family Foundation. Since then hundreds of others have joined them in supporting this ground breaking program. Additional general support is provided by the Christmas in the Village event and the Museum’s Visionary Society members.

Educators | Connect With Every Student Initiative

To learn more about Peoria Riverfront Museum’s field trips, contact us at esi@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org. Ready to register for a field trip? Visit our field trip webpage!

Support Every Student Initiative!

To support the Every School Initiative with a donation - click here. Contact Anne Marie Miller at ammiller@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org or 309.863.3026.

Sponsorship of ESI Schools

As of December 2024, K-8th grade students from 49 schools and 9 districts from across central Illinois participate in the program. The museum asks for sponsors to the program to provide $20 per student and commit to funding their school or district for multiple years. Funding must be secured in school size increments to add a school to the program. The museum asks the schools to provide transportation for the trips.

Peoria Public Schools, District 150 

Established in 2017, thanks to the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Sharon Kherat, the inaugural partner and hometown public district, ESI began with a multiple year commitment serving all K- 8 graders in Peoria Public Schools.

     Lead Sponsor: Barton Family Foundation
     Co-Sponsor: Jim and Katie Owens, Sally Snyder
     Additional support from the Corporate Visionary Society Council

  • Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center (formerly Harrison) 
              School Sponsor: Prairie Home Alliance
  • Charter Oak Primary School
  • Dr. CT Vivian School
  • Maude Sanders School
  • Franklin School
  • Glen Oak School
  • Harold Dawson School (Formerly Calvin Coolidge)
  • Hines Primary School
  • Kellar Primary School
  • Liberty Leadership Middle School (formerly Lindbergh)
  • Lincoln K-8 School (PPS)
                 School Sponsor: Mary Jean Bowman Endowment Fund
  • Mark Bills Middle School
  • Northmoor Primary School
  • Reservoir Gifted (formerly Washington)
  • Rolling Acres Middle School
  • Sterling Middle School
  • Elise Ford Allen Academy (formerly Roosevelt)
  • Trewyn School
  • Von Steuben Middle School
  • Whittier Primary School

East Peoria District 86

In 2019, prompted by the multiple-year commitment of Peoria Riverfront Museum Foundation board member Michael Graham, East Peoria public schools became the second public school partner of the program.

     Lead Sponsor: John Graham & Associates
     Co-Sponsor: Federal Companies

  • Neil A. Armstrong School
  • Don D. Schute School
  • Wilson School
  • Paul L. Bolin School
  • Lincoln School (EP)
  • Glendale School
  • Central Junior High School

Diocese of Peoria 

In 2019, the first school from the Diocese of Peoria was added, St. Philomena School. Since then nine additional sponsored schools have joined and all Catholic Schools in the city of Peoria are involved, along with several in surrounding communities.

  • St. Jude Catholic School (joined 2022)
                   Presenting Sponsor: Ray and Kathy LaHood
  • St. Mark Catholic Grade School (joined 2021)
                   Presenting Sponsor: Greg and Jodi Peine
  • St. Mary's of Kickapoo (joined 2021)
                   Presenting Sponsor: Anonymous
  • St. Patrick's School Washington (joined 2023)
                   Presenting Sponsor: Dr. Sharon Weiss
  • St. Philomena Catholic School (joined 2019)
                   Lead Sponsor: Barton Family Foundation
  • St. Thomas Catholic School (joined 2021)
                   Presenting Sponsor: Anonymous
  • St. Vincent de Paul School (joined 2021)
                   Presenting sponsor: John and Gina Wetzel 
  • Holy Family School (joined 2023)
    Presenting sponsor: Matt and Alison Unkovich
  • St. Edward's School Chillicothe (joined 2023)
    Presenting sponsor: Allen and Laura Cullinan
  • St. Joseph's School Pekin (joined 2023)
    Presenting sponsor: A

Dunlap Community Unit School District 323

In 2021, the first school from Dunlap was added thanks to Peoria City Councilman Denis Cyr. Additional sponsors are needed to help expand the program throughout the Dunlap district.

  • Ridgeview Elementary School
                    Lead Sponsor: Denis Cyr

Roanoke Benson Community Unit School District 60

In 2021, thanks to the success in East Peoria, and in honor of his family, Michael Graham from John Graham & Associates expanded his support to include the students from Roanoke-Benson.                                                                                 Presenting Sponsor: John Graham & Associates

  • Sowers Elementary
  • Roanoke-Benson Jr. High

Metamora Community School District #7

In 2022, thanks to Lacon residents and Visionary Society members Bob and Kathy Brown, Lacon’s Midland school was added expanding the reach of ESI even farther across central Illinois.                                                                                             Presenting Sponsor: Ruby K. Worner Charitable Trust

  • Metamora Grade School

Lowpoint-Washburn Community Unit School District 21

In 2022, thanks to Peoria Riverfront Museum Board member and RLI VP for Marketing, Lisa Gates, RLI increased its giving to the Museum to provide funding for four additional schools to join ESI.                                                                                  Presenting Sponsor: RLI

  • Lowpoint Washburn Elementary School
  • Lowpoint-Washburn Jr/Sr High School (7th and 8th graders)

Creve Coeur School District 76

In 2022, thanks to Peoria Riverfront Museum Board member and RLI VP for Marketing, Lisa Gates, RLI increased its giving to the Museum to provide funding for four additional schools to join ESI.                                                                                  Presenting Sponsor: RLI

  • LaSalle Elementary
  • Parkview Middle School

Brimfield Community Unit School District 309

In 2022, thanks to Peoria Riverfront Museum Board member Laura Cullinan and her husband Allen, ESI continued expanding into our rural central Illinois communities with the addition of Brimfield.

  • Brimfield Grade School
                    Presenting Sponsor: Allen and Laura Cullinan

Elmwood Community Unit School District 401

In 2023, thanks to Peoria Riverfront Museum Board member Laura Cullinan and her husband Allen, ESI continued expanding into our rural central Illinois communities with the addition of Elmwood.

  • Elmwood Elementary School
    Presenting Sponsor: Allen and Laura Cullinan