What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Distinctive Schools

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United States
Chicago, IL
Distinctive Schools

Distinctive Schools manages 8 CICS charter schools across Chicago. We elevate access, achievement, and belonging for every student so they may thrive!

We lead the charge in creating a collaborative, innovative, and welcoming public education experience.

10/13/2026

🚨 Do you have your voting plan for the November 3rd school board election? Your voice matters, Chicago International Charter School community! Early voting begins on October 19th; make sure you are registered to vote online before this Sunday, October 18th! ☑️

👉 Click here to learn more: https://hubs.li/Q04B18Wr0

10/08/2026

🗓️ Enjoy the long weekend! This is a reminder that there will be no classes on Monday, October 12th for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Distinctive Schools network office will also be closed. We can’t wait to see you back in school on Tuesday, October 13th! ✨

10/07/2026

Applications for the 2027-2028 school year are now OPEN! 🎉

At Distinctive Schools, we believe in creating collaborative, innovative, and welcoming school communities where every student feels a sense of belonging. ✨ From our joyful environments to our commitment to rigorous academics, we equip all learners with the skills to become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders. 📚

We proudly manage 8 Chicago International Charter School tuition-free, K-12 public charter schools across Chicago. We’re so excited to welcome you to our school families! ❤️

👉 If you are searching for a joyful, welcoming school that will put your student first, click here to apply today! https://hubs.li/Q04zsb700

10/06/2026

Happy National Coaches Day to all of our Chicago International Charter School athletic and academic leaders! 📣 Thank you for the mentorship you bring to our classrooms, courts, and fields every day. You help our Chicago International Charter School students refine their athletic and academic skills, learn how to problem-solve, and inspire them to believe in themselves. 🌟 We appreciate your guidance and support within all of our communities and spaces. Thank you, Distinctive Coaches! ❤️

10/05/2026

We had such a blast at our Distinctive Schools High School Fair! 💥

Our 8th graders from CICS Bucktown, CICS West Belden, and CICS Irving Park had the opportunity to speak with high school representatives from around Chicago and explore all they have to offer! ✨ Our Chicago International Charter School students engaged in workshops to prepare themselves for the transition into high school, as well as heard from a panel of our Chicago International Charter School alumni, and held an exciting raffle! We are so proud of our 8th graders and can’t wait to see their academic journeys continue into high school. 🎉

Special thanks to CICS Northtown Academy for leading an informative session, and all of our other high school reps for welcoming our students to your schools!

10/02/2026

Happy Custodian Appreciation Day from Distinctive Schools! 🫧 We are incredibly grateful for our custodian staff across all of our Chicago International Charter School campuses. You make our schools shine! ✨Thank you for all your hard work every day! ❤️

10/01/2026

We would like to wish our schools a Happy Principal Appreciation Month! 🎉

Our Chicago International Charter School campuses are incredible and joyful because of our amazing, hardworking principals! They show up every day for their students and staff, setting an impressive standard for leadership. They are caring, welcoming, and the biggest cheerleaders for our community. We appreciate all the work they do to make our schools Distinctive! From the entire Distinctive Schools community, thank you, Distinctive Principals! ❤️

Watch our beloved President and CEO, Mary Beck, as she shared a few of the many reasons why we appreciate our principals! All month long, make sure you show YOUR appreciation for your principal! ✨

09/30/2026

Join us in celebrating our Kelli Easterly, Distinctive Schools Managing Director of STEM, as this September’s President & CEO Spotlight! 🌟

Kelli keeps Science and STEM front and center across our network so that our educators have the tools, curriculum, and continuous professional growth opportunities they need to inspire all students. From leading the Invest For Kids (IFK) grant to build out dynamic Makerspaces in partnership with MSI, to mapping our AI implementation, expanding AP pathways in high school, and advocating for science materials, Kelli models what it means to lead with vision and heart!

Thank you, Kelli, for your dedication to innovation, learner agency, and creating joyful, hands-on learning spaces for our students!

09/28/2026

Take a closer look at our Faith & Community Leaders Breakfast! 🎉

This was a great way to connect with our wonderful community organizations and partners. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support for our schools and students. We appreciate each of our partners for their hard work and collaboration! 🌟

Thank you again to our CICS Longwood Elementary students for welcoming our guests, and to our CICS Longwood High School students for sharing your academic journeys with us. We also want to recognize our Community School Coordinators and all that they do for our Chicago International Charter School communities! 💐

Thank you to everyone who attended and engaged in our Faith & Community Leaders Breakfast. We’re excited to continue collaborating and growing! 🌱

09/23/2026

🚨 Reminder: there is no class on Friday, September 25th for Staff Professional Development Day. Enjoy the long weekend, and we can’t wait to see you back in school on Monday, September 28th! ✨

Address

910 W Van Buren Street Ste 315
Chicago, IL
60607

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Website

http://distinctiveschools.org/

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