
January 6, 2026
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...

December 22, 2025
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...

January 27, 2026
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 23, 2026
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...

January 9, 2026
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 ...

December 15, 2025
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...

December 9, 2025
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...

December 4, 2025
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...

December 1, 2025
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...

November 24, 2025
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...

November 3, 2025
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...

October 24, 2025
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...

October 15, 2025
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 ...

October 7, 2025
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 ...

September 18, 2025
Distinctive Schools has been accepted into the League of Innovative Schools (The League), a national network of school districts that connects and supports the nation’s most fo...

September 8, 2025
As part of both our Personalized Learning Model and our Community Hub work, Distinctive Schools is deeply committed to providing all learners with what they need, when they need i...

August 28, 2025
Distinctive Schools is thrilled to have been selected as a beneficiary from Invest for Kids , a vanguard philanthropic organization supporting Chicago's youth! This funding will...

August 8, 2025
As we step into a brand-new school year, we’re filled with excitement, hope, and deep gratitude for the journey ahead. This year, we’re anchored by belonging , consistency , and...

July 23, 2025
For many students, Kindergarten is their first step into school. At CICS Prairie —a Distinctive Schools campus—it’s also the beginning of a joyful, personalized learning...

July 18, 2025
At CICS Prairie , we believe that learning extends far beyond textbooks and classroom walls. From before the first bell to long after the last bell rings, a whole new world of d...
