The Mundelein School District 120 community will celebrate the first completed portion of the Mundelein High School Facilities Improvement Project when they host the Grand Opening of the District 120 Transition Center on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The Transition Center, previously located on the north end of Mundelein High School, has moved into the newly renovated MHS Annex building (formerly the Kirk of the Lakes Church). Renovation of the building was included in the first phase of the $199.5 million MHS Facilities Improvement Project. It is the first portion of the project completed to date.

“It’s wonderful to see our Transition Center move into a space they sorely needed,” said Dr. Corey Tafoya, Superintendent of Districts 120 and 75 in Mundelein. “But on a larger scale, it’s especially exciting to see part of our long-term facilities project come to fruition. It’s the first of many improvements coming to the District 120 community over the next few years, and we’re off to a great start.”

The Facilities Project is being funded largely through a $149.5 million building bond referendum supported by voters in November 2024. It will include new classrooms (already under construction), a new gymnasium, new cafeteria, new Career Technical Education space, and more. Work began on the project in March 2025 and is expected to take at least three years to complete.

Renovation of the Transition Center’s new home came in the first phase to allow for the second phase of building improvements in the former Transition Center space.

In March, District staff moved out of the former MHS Annex and into the East District Office at 470 N. Lake Street, space shared by both Districts 75 and 120. The Mundelein Welcome Center also moved out of the Annex to a temporary location at the Carl Sandburg Middle School’s South Building, 330 N. Ridgemoor Avenue. The Welcome Center is expected to reopen in the Transition Center building in September.

The design of the renovation was guided by Transition Center staff members. The 16,100-square-foot space includes new fire suppression, mechanical, and electrical systems to comply with current school building codes. 

The Transition Center helps participants, aged 18-22, to develop independent, active adult lives through community engagement and person-centered planning. It provides a vital bridge for the participants as they work to improve their academic and functional achievement while transitioning into post-school activities. 

The Grand Opening will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Transition Center is located at 1500 W. Hawley Street, just west of Mundelein High School.