CICS Longwood Elementary -

Distinctive Schools is proud of our collaborative, innovative, and welcoming educational experience, where every student truly belongs. Distinctive students become confident advoc...

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...

May is National Mental Health Month, and at Distinctive Schools, our commitment toward creating a supportive, student-centered environment where every child feels seen, heard, and...

As the educational landscape shifts with the power of Artificial Intelligence, our mission remains anchored in learning as a deeply human experience. At Distinctive Schools, w...

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...

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...

Porald Harris's music classroom at CICS Longwood Elementary doesn’t have students; she sees a room full of musicians . This distinction is intentional, rooted in a pr...

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...

Victoria , a senior at CICS Longwood High School , reflects the power of a familiar and supportive learning community. From a bright-eyed Kindergartener to a confident sen...