Kindergarten through 3rd grade Specialty School Programs:
At Beard School, we believe that early childhood interventions are vital for academic and social-emotional growth and success. This is why we specialize and focus on providing intensive support to all of our students in academics and social emotional learning. All of our highly trained teachers hold special education endorsements, while having extensive expertise in early childhood special education. In addition to our preschool programs, Beard School features a specialized program exclusively for students with disabilities in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Our classrooms prioritize individualized educational support, staffed by experts trained in various disabilities, including autism, medical disorders, and mobility impairments. With a maximum of 10 students per classroom, we maintain a low student-to-adult ratio to ensure personalized instruction and care. Our specialized programs are equipped with a robust team of related service providers, which includes Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Social Work, Counseling, Case Management, Nursing, and Psychology services. This comprehensive support system enables us to effectively address the diverse needs of our students within a classroom setting. Our dedicated staff implements a significantly modified curriculum that integrates academics with essential social and emotional learning. By setting high expectations and employing effective strategies and practices, we support each student in achieving their individual goals while fostering desirable behaviors. At Beard School, we prioritize personalized learning through small group instruction, which is seamlessly integrated into our student-centered stations throughout the day. Our diverse range of teaching methods, instructional models, and communication strategies are designed to enhance student achievement and communication. Our curriculum is aligned with the national Common Core Standards, ensuring a high-quality educational experience. Many of our educators are trained in the Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory approach and work with students to build out their literacy skills. Additionally, a number of our students utilize AAC communication devices to enhance their expressive and receptive skill sets. Currently, our students engage in weekly classes in Physical Education, Art, Counseling, and Music, enriching their educational experience. At Beard School, we are committed to fostering a culture of high expectations for all students. Our dedicated staff is focused on enhancing student achievement and promoting positive behaviors. We implement innovative and evidence-based practices to provide students with optimal opportunities to meet established standards and individual IEP goals. This commitment is further strengthened through extensive professional development for our staff and a strong collaboration with parents and the community.
Early Childhood Preschool Programs:
Welcome to Beard School, an Early Childhood Specialty School that stands out with its two interrelated programs on one vibrant campus. Our preschool program is renowned as the largest on the Northwest side of Chicago, offering a comprehensive range of full-day and half-day options for all eligible 3 and 4-year-old students. At Beard School, we provide tailored learning experiences to preschoolers through our General Education, Blended, English Language Learner (ELL), and Intensive Support special education programs. We believe that the foundation for a lifelong love of learning begins in preschool. Our preschool programs are not only designed to prepare students for kindergarten but also have earned a Gold Circle of Quality rating from ExceleRate, reflecting our commitment to excellence in educational standards. Our school enrollment of 410 students reflects a shared belief by many of our families that Beard School has significantly and positively impacted their child’s preschool learning. Our strategies seamlessly integrate academic skill sets with play-based learning and inquiry. This is layered with a strong emphasis on social-emotional development. These skill sets are essential for success in Kindergarten readiness and beyond. At Beard School, we recognize that young learners thrive in an environment that encourages exploration, fun, and inquiry. This fosters both independence and critical thinking skills in children that are essential for success. For working families, we also offer a convenient tuition-based afterschool program, ensuring that every child's learning opportunity continues beyond the classroom. Our dedicated teachers utilize the Creative Curriculum, a district-approved curriculum known for its rigorous instruction and comprehensive development across nine essential areas. This curriculum promotes essential skills in language, communication, literacy, math, cognitive development, and motor skills, all while fostering social-emotional growth through play-based learning and inquiry. At Beard School, we are committed to fostering a culture of high expectations for all students. Our dedicated staff is focused on enhancing student achievement and promoting positive behaviors. We implement evidence-based practices to provide students with optimal opportunities to meet established standards. This commitment is further strengthened through extensive professional development for our staff and a strong collaboration with parents and the community.
