Distinctive Schools - Commit. Create. Collaborate

Porald Harris's music classroom at CICS Longwood Elementary doesn’t have students; she sees a room full of musicians . This distinction is intentional, rooted in a pr...

When the state measures a well-rounded school, they look for a combination of academic growth, proficiency in core subjects, attendance, and a supportive school climate. Based on ...

January is National Thank You Month—a time to reflect on the people who shape our lives and the communities that sustain us. Distinctive Schools is incredibly grateful for our stu...

This blog is reposted with permission by NGLC. Find the original publication here . Michele Lansing, LCSW, is the network director for clinical services at Distinctive ...

As we welcome a new year, the energy across our campuses is palpable! We are looking at the journey , focusing on the intentional steps that uplift our students to lead, lear...

Family support through our Community Hubs is our heartbeat. This November and December, that heartbeat was louder than ever as our campuses transformed into centers of holiday mag...

At Distinctive Schools, we believe that a critical component of supporting the whole child and achieving our mission of academic excellence is deep community involvement. Our scho...

The holidays are upon us—a time for joy, connection, and creating meaningful memories with loved ones. It’s also a season that can bring its own pressures, like planning visits, m...

At Distinctive Schools, academic rigor and success are the highest priorities driving our instruction every day. This year, we are investing deeply in new, targeted approaches and...

Distinctive Schools today announced the appointment of Angela Sims as Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and Kelli Easterly as Managing Director of STEM, marking a bold new chapter o...

This blog is reposted with permission by NGLC. Find the original publication here . Marcell Kirk is Director of Culture for Distinctive Schools in Chicago, Illinois. As Direc...

At Distinctive Schools, we are reminded every day how much we have to be thankful for— this year has been filled with countless moments that remind us of the power of community, t...

At Distinctive Schools, we know that true student growth—the kind that shapes lifelong learners and successful citizens—spans beyond academics. It is critical that our students ar...

Victoria , a senior at CICS Longwood High School , reflects the power of a familiar and supportive learning community. From a bright-eyed Kindergartener to a confident sen...

At CICS Bucktown, holistic education is driven by understanding the essential link between a child's physical, emotional, and community well-being. That’s what makes our Community...

The transition from 8th grade to high school is an exciting and critical step in a student’s educational journey. Distinctive Schools is committed to preparing our students, and e...

Curiosity, Leadership & Big Dreams: 5 Questions CICS Prairie Students Asked Arne Duncan On Wednesday, October 22, CICS Prairie middle schoolers were treated to a unique, on...

This blog is reposted with permission by NGLC. Find the original publication here . Noemi Simons is the Bilingual Program Manager at Distinctive Schools. Noemi Simons has ...

This is Part III in a three-part blog series exploring how Distinctive Schools is approaching artificial intelligence (AI) in education. From building custom tools to supporting ...

October is Principal Appreciation Month , and at Distinctive Schools, we deeply honor and recognize the incredible leaders who guide our campuses every day. This year, we are giv...