Our School

Butterfield School proudly opened its doors in 1969. Back then, two major goals of the "open concept design," which had open hallways and few interior walls, were to develop the ability for self-direction through the acquisition and mastery of academic special skills and to develop a positive self-image. Students actually selected their own schedules and courses. At the time, families had a choice where to send their children to school in the village and Butterfield offered classes from kindergarten through eighth grade.

In time, the open design concept faded. Interior walls were added, ceilings were dropped to create more traditional classrooms over several remodels for the then electric-heated school. It transitioned into a school for pre-kindergarten through to fifth grade. The last major remodel came in 2007-08 when the Learning Center was remodeled to include a reading terrace, media room and computer lab. About 75,000 square feet of solar panels were added to the roof in 2014, saving the school thousands of dollars a month on electricity. Recently, the school heating system was changed to natural gas to help lower operation costs. 

Butterfield is now the largest elementary school in District 70. Sixth Day Enrollment figures reported to the ISBE in 2024-25 showed 500 students, not including 57 Little Sprouts preschool students and 6 students taught at the school in the SEDOL program.

From 20th century construction, to 21st century instruction, teachers and staff at Butterfield School work to open the minds of young learners.