Beard School is very proud to have the following distinguished certifications, honors and awards:

  1. Certified “EXEMPLARY” Supportive School by the Office of Social & Emotional Learning
  2. Restorative Practice Leadership School
  3. ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality Award for Standard of Excellence in Preschool Education
  4. Creative School Certified “EXCELLING” in the Arts
  5. Healthy CPS Status Achieved.
  6. 2018 "GOLD" & 2019 "SILVER" Alliance for a Healthier Generation  Recipients for List of America's Healthiest Schools   
  7. $175,000 Recipients of Donors Choose Awards

Certified “EXEMPLARY” Supportive School by the Office of Social  & Emotional Learning

Beard has been awarded this exemplary distinction for having strong multi-tiered systems of supports in place that integrate social and emotional learning into daily practices of the school.  The award highlights the positive culture and climate and collaborative relationships that are built at the school. https://www.cps.edu/academics/supportive-schools/


Restorative Practice Leadership School  

Restorative Practices are ways of pro-actively developing relationships and community, as well as repairing community when harm is done. After conflict or harm, Restorative Practices provide a way of thinking about, talking about, and responding to issues and problems by involving all participants to discuss their feelings and opinions, identify what happened, describe how it affected everyone, and find solutions to make things better. Restorative practices, improves school and classroom climates by focusing on community, relationships, and responsibility.  It promotes social and emotional skill development by teaching students self-awareness, empathy, communication skills, responsible decision-making, relationship building, and conflict resolution.


ExceleRate "GOLD CIRCLE OF QUALITY" Award for Standard of Excellence in Pre-School Education

ExceleRate has awarded Beard the Gold Circle of Quality Award for Standard of Excellence in PreSchool Education. The Gold Circle of Quality recognizes programs that meet or go beyond the highest quality goals. Gold Circle programs have met the highest quality standards in three areas: learning environment and teaching quality; administrative standards; and staff training and education. Programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement. The Gold Circle of Quality gives statewide recognition to early learning programs that meet or go beyond the highest ExceleRate IllinoisTM Quality Standards. To learn more, visit: http://www.excelerateillinois.com.


Creative School Certified and "EXCELLING" in the Arts

This award is a measure of the level of fine arts that is incorporated into the daily curriculum. Beard School has received the recognition of "Excelling" in the fine arts. It meets the goals and priorities outlined in the CPS Arts Education Plan, including Staffing & Instruction, Partnerships, Community & Culture, and Budget & Planning. To learn more, visit: www.cpsarts.org/creative-schools-certification. Partnership program this year includes the Merit School of Music once a week for all students.


"2018 GOLD" & "2019 SILVER" Alliance for a Healthier Generation  Recipients for List of America's Healthiest Schools

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has awarded Beard School a 2018 Silver designation for being one of the Healthiest Schools in America.  We are one of two schools in Chicago to earn this distinguished award.  designation. https://www.healthiergeneration.org/search?search_api_fulltext=beard