CICS Prairie -

The week of April 6th is National Assistant Principal Week , the perfect opportunity to honor and recognize our incredible assistant principals (APs) who guide our campuses ev...

What does “innovation” evoke? For many, innovation means emerging technologies and unlimited potential. While those ideas are true, at Chicago International Charter School (CICS...

What happens when the question is no longer “ Should we use AI ?”—but instead, “ What new kinds of learning should we be designing —learning that only humans can shape, feel, ...

Across our entire Distinctive Schools network, the arrival of Spring Break marks a significant moment in the school year. It is a vital time for our students, staff, and families ...

For a student to truly flourish, they must first feel a sense of belonging . This February, our campuses have been buzzing with an undeniable energy as we celebrate the rich h...

Imagine walking through a field of sunflowers, and you notice their seeds. This formation, like much of what we can find in nature, is a masterpiece of engineering . Math is th...

Student success is inseparable from family learning. When the adults in their lives have access to education, resources, and community, students show up stronger— academically, s...

This blog is reposted with permission from NGLC. Find the original publication here . Christina Camacho is the director of literacy for Distinctive Schools, where she...

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...

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...

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 ...