Morton’s schools, library and nearby colleges prepare residents for success at every stage. Anchored by Morton Community Unit School District 709 and strengthened by the Morton Chamber of Commerce’s leadership programs, education in Morton connects directly to community and career.
Overview of Morton’s Educational Landscape
Morton Community Unit School District 709 serves the village with seven schools: Grundy, Jefferson, Lettie Brown and Lincoln elementary schools, Morton Academy, Morton Junior High School and Morton High School. District leaders join Village, park, library, police and fire leaders each year at the Chamber’s Community Forecast Breakfast to share plans with the community.
For higher education, Illinois Central College in East Peoria and Bradley University in Peoria are a short drive from Morton.
Key Features of Morton’s Educational Environment
K–12 Schools
- Morton Community Unit School District 709 runs elementary, junior high and high school programs across seven schools.
- The Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center hosts school and community arts productions, while local private schools include Spark Academy, Blessed Sacrament, Bethel Lutheran, and Solid Rock Academy.
Higher Education Nearby
- Illinois Central College: A public community college with its main campus in East Peoria.
- Bradley University: A private university in Peoria known for engineering, business, and health sciences, along with Illinois State University.
Community and Lifelong Learning
- The Morton Public Library offers a Local History Collection, digitized Morton newspapers dating to 1909, digital learning resources and year-round programs.
- Explore More Illinois, through the library, gives cardholders free and discounted tickets to museums and cultural venues.
- The Morton History Project, launched in 2018 by the Morton Chamber of Commerce with a Morton Community Foundation grant, collected oral and written histories of community members.
Local Highlights: Educational Leaders and Initiatives
- Morton High School: The district’s four-year public high school.
- Morton Public Library: Learning, local history and community programs at 315 W. Pershing St.
- Leadership Morton: The Chamber’s 12-week leadership program, offered each spring and fall.
- Morton History Project: A Chamber-led archive of Morton’s stories, available through the library.
Morton Chamber of Commerce Programs and Initiatives
- Leadership Morton: Develops business and community leaders through sessions on public issues, state and local government and civic challenges.
- Community Forecast Breakfast: Brings school district leadership together with the community for yearly updates.
- Job Board: Connects local employers with job seekers.
- Lunch & Learns: Member-led learning sessions for the business community, along with networking opportunities at Business After Hours, the Project Pumpkin Golf Outing, and the Pumpkin Festival.
Why Morton Excels in Education
- Strong Local Schools: Seven District 709 schools serving Morton families.
- Nearby Higher Education: Illinois Central College and Bradley University within easy reach.
- Lifelong Learning: A public library with deep local history and digital resources.
- Chamber Engagement: Leadership Morton and the Forecast Breakfast link education, business and civic life.
A Chamber-Driven Future for Morton Education
Morton’s schools, library and Chamber programs work together to prepare students and professionals for what comes next. The Morton Chamber of Commerce continues to connect education with opportunity, developing the leaders who will keep Morton strong.