Spectrum Progressive School of Rockford

10/12/2026

🌮 ¡La comunidad cuida de la comunidad! ‼️ ❤️

A HUGE shoutout to Marrufo’s Tacos for helping us celebrate the final day of our Session 1 Spanish con Amigos elective! 🇲🇽

After reviewing everything we learned over the past 5 weeks and discussing the significance of El Día de la Hispanidad, Columbus Day, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we wrapped up our final class with a delicious taco lunch and churros! 🌮🎉

Marrufo’s generously donated churros, three kinds of dipping sauces, and taco salsas to help complete our celebration (sorry for no pictures, but these kids were HUNGRY!) We’re so grateful for local businesses that support our students and help make learning experiences like these even more special!

¡Muchísimas gracias, Marrufo’s! 🙌 Your generosity helped us end our first session on a delicious note! ❤️

10/09/2026

🍂 SESSION 2 ELECTIVES SCHEDULE IS HERE! 🍂

Looking for something new and different for your student? 🌟 Spectrum Progressive School of Rockford's Elective Courses are a great way to step outside the usual school routine, explore new interests, and discover a class they might not get the chance to experience at any other school.

Spectrum's elective classes are more than the typical “specials.” They give full-time AND homeschool students the opportunity to build real skills, try something new, and learn alongside other students in an engaging, hands-on environment 🚀. For homeschool families, they’re also a great way to add something fun to the week while connecting with other local students. Each elective meets once a week for 5 weeks.

Session 1 students had a blast exploring such a wide variety of elective classes, and they're excited to keep that momentum going with a mix of returning favorites and new classes! 🙌

For Session 2, which runs from Oct. 19 - Nov. 18, students can choose from these 8 offerings:

🎨 Art Unleashed w/ Ms. Laura, owner of Smarty Pants Rockford Art Studio
💃 Dance Explorations w/ Ms. Brandi, owner of Beauty in Motion Dance Arts
🥋 Taekwondo Fundamentals w/ Mr. Darrell, owner of Arcane Taekwondo
🎭 Theater: Character Spotlight w/ Ms. Erica
✨🇪🇸 NEW! Spanish Con Amigos w/ Mr. Rickey
✨🥁 NEW! Percussion Lab w/ Mr. Chris, owner of Stix It to the Man Percussion
✨🎶 NEW! Mallet Madness w/ Ms. Sue
✨🍎 NEW! Art of Food w/ Ms. Susan

Whether your student loves creating, performing, moving, making music, learning languages, cooking, or exploring something completely new, there’s an elective waiting for them at Spectrum. ❤️

📣 Registration is now OPEN! View the fliers to check out the schedule and course descriptions, and click the link in the comments to fill out the registration form to reserve your student’s spot!

10/07/2026

🍂 SESSION 2 ELECTIVES SCHEDULE IS HERE! 🍂

Looking for something new and different for your student? 🌟 Our Elective Courses are a great way to step outside the usual school routine, explore new interests, and discover a class they might not get the chance to experience at any other school.

At Spectrum, our elective classes are more than the typical “specials.” They give full-time AND homeschool students the opportunity to build real skills, try something new, and learn alongside other students in an engaging, hands-on environment 🚀. For homeschool families, they’re also a great way to add something fun to the week while connecting with other local students. Each elective meets once a week for 5 weeks.

Our Session 1 students had a blast exploring such a wide variety of elective classes, and we’re excited to keep that momentum going with a mix of returning favorites and new classes for Session 2! 🙌

For Session 2 of our electives, which runs from Oct. 19 - Nov. 18, students can choose from these 8 offerings:

🎨 Art Unleashed w/ Ms. Laura, owner of Smarty Pants Rockford Art Studio

💃 Dance Explorations w/ Ms. Brandi, owner of Beauty in Motion Dance Arts

🥋 Taekwondo Fundamentals w/ Mr. Darrell, owner of Arcane Taekwondo

🎭 Theater: Character Spotlight w/ Ms. Erica

✨🇪🇸 NEW! Spanish Con Amigos w/ Mr. Rickey

✨🥁 NEW! Percussion Lab w/ Mr. Chris, owner of Stix It to the Man Percussion

✨🎶 NEW! Mallet Madness w/ Ms. Sue

✨🍎 NEW! Art of Food w/ Ms. Susan

Whether your student loves creating, performing, moving, making music, learning languages, cooking, or exploring something completely new, there’s an elective waiting for them at Spectrum. ❤️

📣 Registration is now OPEN! View the fliers below for our schedule and course descriptions. Click the link below to view the Session 2 schedule and fill out the registration form to reserve your student’s spot!

👉 https://forms.gle/uVNiDEhE8xP8TXTu7

10/05/2026

We just kicked off what's shaping up to be a favorite tradition here at Spectrum — our candle fundraiser, partnered with Candle Crest Soy Candles! Especially this time of year, nothing beats a house filled with your favorite seasonal scent!

This year's goal is $2,000 — we came so close last year, and with everyone's help, we know we can get there!

Every candle sold helps support the unique learning opportunities that make Spectrum special and the long-term health of our school.

Click the link below to order online! The deadline to order is Friday, October 16th. Candles will be available for pickup from Spectrum School starting the week of November 2nd.

Online Order Form: https://forms.gle/EAFn1YUdzoc45BgE8

10/03/2026

The Spectrum community is saddened to hear of the passing of local musician Michael Hillenburg after his battle with cancer.

In April 2025, "Hilly" shared his passion for music with our students as the instructor of a one-week music camp at Spectrum with the Rock and Roll Institute. We’re beyond grateful that he took the time to share his talents, energy, and love of music with our students, and we all cherish those practices and final performance.

We’re sending our heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family, friends, and the many members of our local music community who knew and loved him. ❤️

09/30/2026

Thanks to all the Spectrum families that came out to our Donuts with Grownups event on Tuesday morning! It was a sweet way to start the day! 🍩🤤🫶

09/18/2026

EAT AT CULVERS & SUPPORT SPECTRUM SCHOOL AT THE SAME TIME! 😲🙏

Mark your calendars: this coming Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, from 10am - 10pm, enjoy a meal (or two!) at Culvers on Phelps & State St, and mention you're there to support Spectrum! A portion of the day's proceeds will come back directly to our school!

The only homework next week is eating delicious food for a great cause! 📚🍟

06/25/2026

Spectrum School will be closed next week (6/29 - 7/3), and will be back open on Monday, July 6th with Story Makers Camp with Mr. Elijah, and Wacky & Wild Camp with Ms. Annika!

Summer Camps Registration 🔗: https://forms.gle/nadd6SPfhGSab3xP8

06/25/2026

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a parent can make.

You want a place where your child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn, a place where they can build friendships, gain confidence, and enjoy coming to school each day.

At Spectrum Progressive School of Rockford, they provide a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to grow through hands-on experiences, strong relationships, and engaging academics that build confidence inside and outside the classroom.

If you're exploring educational options for your family, they'd love to meet you and show you around their school, a great opportunity to do that would be during their upcoming Early Childhood Playdate!

Families with children ages 3–7 are invited to their Early Childhood Playdate: **Bubbles Edition!** 🫧 Wednesday, July 8th | 10–11 AM on the Spectrum playground.

Enrollment is now open for Preschool and Elementary students. Request more information, schedule a tour, or join a Summer Camp and see what joy in learning can look like at Spectrum.

📍: 4848 Turner St. Rockford, IL.
📞 Phone: 815-877-1600
🌐 Website: spectrumschool.org
🫧 Playdate RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ELNeT2RCP/

06/17/2026

📣 It's that time of year again! The 2026 What Rocks Community's Choice Awards Nomination Ballot is now live!

As many of you know, the What Rocks Community’s Choice Awards recognizes some of the best businesses and organizations throughout the Rockford area. This year, Spectrum School can be nominated in three categories:

⭐ Best Preschool
⭐ Best Private School
⭐ Best Child Care

As an added bonus, anyone who submits nominations in 25 or more categories will automatically be entered to win a $250 gift card!

📋 How to Nominate:
• Go to: https://rrstar.gannettcontests.com/2026-What-Rocks-Communitys-Choice-Awards/
• Navigate to "Kids & Education"
• In any or all of the three categories listed above, enter Spectrum School of Rockford
• On your first visit, complete the registration with your information and click "NOMINATE"
• Feel free to nominate your other favorite local businesses and organizations as well! Nominations are recorded as they are entered—there is no final "SUBMIT" button.
• You can return and nominate once per day by using the "Already Entered" login option.

⏰ Nominations close Monday, June 22, 2026. The top five nominees in each category will advance to the voting round in August, where winners and finalists will be selected.

Thank you for your support, and GO SPECTRUM SCHOOL! 🦾🙌🫶

Check it out now!