Distinctive Schools Establishes ​National Board of Directors:

Distinctive Schools National Board of Directors: 

Chicago, IL (April 4, 2018) Distinctive Schools announced the establishment of its National Board of Directors that will help guide Distinctive Schools as an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement for all students. ​

Distinctive Schools began its journey in May of 2011, with the mission to ensure successful futures for all of its students. Today, in partnership with Chicago International Charter School (CICS), Distinctive Schools currently manages four K-­8 elementary schools in Chicago: CICS Bucktown, CICS Irving Park, CICS Prairie, and CICS West Belden. In the northern region of Minneapolis, in partnership with Innovative Quality Schools, Distinctive Schools manages Minnesota Excellence in Learning Academy (MELA), and at the start of the 2017-­2018 school year, Distinctive Schools proudly partnered with Central Michigan University in the opening of its newest school, Distinctive College Prep – Harper Woods, a K-­3 charter school, adding grade levels each year through grade eight.  ​

“We are ready for an expanded set of minds to help us serve our students, families, communities, and staff. Our Distinctive Schools educational model is fueled by innovation and informed by cutting-edge research and best practice, and, we believe with the establishment of our National Board of Directors, we will be able to continuously innovate as a network,” stated Dr. Joseph Wise, Chairman of the Board and CEO at Distinctive Schools. “The board that we have assembled embodies the spirit of positively impacting K-12 education, and brings education expertise, talent and energy to the table. We expect them to help us continue to innovate, trailblaze, and collaboratively lead a public education transformation, as well as help build a new narrative for what our nation’s education should look like today.” 

The Distinctive Schools National Board of Directors consists of leaders, representing a diverse group of institutions including acclaimed education organizations, universities and K-12 academies. The Distinctive National Board of Directors are

• Nelson Broms, Strategic Advisor, Distinctive Schools Board of Directors
• Jackie Cornelius, Executive Director, The Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Foundation
• Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton, Florida Coordinator for the Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching, University of South Florida
• Aarti Dhupelia, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, National Louis University
• Scott Frauenheim, President and Chief Operating Officer, Distinctive Schools
• Dr. Eric Smith, Former Florida Commissioner of Education
• David Sundstrom, JD, Co-Founder and Chief Administrative Officer, Distinctive Schools
• William Tudor, Former Executive Vice President, NWEA
• Dr. Joseph Wise, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Distinctive Schools
• Dr. Kenneth Wong, Walter and Leonore Annenberg Chair of Education Policy, Brown University

William Tudor greeting a CICS Bucktown student on the school tour.

Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton greets a student from CICS Bucktown

As national thought leaders in the area of personalized learning, Distinctive Schools fosters learning environments that honor each individual and nurture the whole learner, and through a highly personalized model of instruction and supports, students develop a strong sense of agency and confidence and consistently exceed national norms on both growth and attainment targets.

“We believe our National Board of Directors represent the apogee of education today. We are very fortunate to learn and work with them, and to utilize their unique skill sets and expertise to continue to strengthen Distinctive Schools,” stated Scott Frauenheim, President and COO at Distinctive Schools. “The new board will strengthen support in all areas of the organization while continuing to positively impact student achievement. It is an exciting step for Distinctive Schools.”​