Student voice and choice is essential to the learning experience at Distinctive Schools. We believe that student collaboration and ownership deepens their understanding. Every K–8 classroom also incorporates a “What I Need” (WIN) learning block, allowing students to focus on what they need, when they need it.

We teach with high quality instructional materials that challenge every student with on-grade-level content. Our teachers receive ongoing support and coaching to help them continuously improve.

We tailor learning to each student, setting individual goals and tracking progress using both behavior and academic data. If a student needs extra help, we provide personalized support through different learning strategies. We make sure learning is rigorous and accessible, using a curriculum that shows we truly believe in every student's potential.

CICS Irving Park is proud to provide enriching opportunities beyond the school day. Our morning Soft Start program offers students a way to ease into the school day on their terms. Our afterschool programming offers clubs like Spanish, chess, arts, drama, board games, and dancing, allowing students to explore their interests in various ways. We’re also proud to offer a number of sports, including boys soccer, boys volleyball, girls volleyball, boys basketball, girls basketball, cheer, running mates, and flag football!