Private School in Chicago, IL

Chicago Friends School:
Chicago Friends School, located on the North Side of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, is a co-educational elementary school serving grades pre-kindergarten (age 4 years) through to second grade. Guided by Quaker principles of peace, equality, simplicity, integrity, community, and service, we welcome children of all cultural and religious backgrounds. We seek to create an educational environment that is built on nurturing relationships, meets children’s intellectual and emotional needs, and that fosters a sense of belonging, social awareness, and personal responsibility. Chicago Friends School will be expanding to pre-k through to grade 8 in the future.

Chicago Friends School will work toward membership in the Friends Council on Education, an organization providing support to over 80 Quaker schools across the country. CFS will also register with the Illinois State Board of Education and seek accreditation.

Mission Statement:
Chicago Friends School, rooted in the Quaker values of Peace, Equality, Simplicity, Integrity, Community, and Service is dedicated to the education of children in an evolving, supportive and diverse community, resulting in academic excellence and spiritual depth.

About Us:
Chicago Friends School was started by a group of Chicago area parents, educators, and other volunteers who shared a vision of an elementary chool rooted in the Quaker values of peace, equality, simplicity, integrity, community and service; and who are dedicated to educating children in an evolving, supportive, and diverse community resulting in academic excellence and spiritual depth. We are excited about bringing a Friends school to the Chicago area. We are pleased that you are interested in joining us as a pioneer in this endeavor.

Why a Quaker School?
Friends schools hope to create an environment within which students and staff alike can continue to mature as companions in a wide range of experiences. These experiences, both outward and inward in nature, may bring forth in each a deepening awareness of the presence of God.

The Quaker belief in the “Inner Light” leads to faith in the ability of every member of the school community to reach his or her full potential. Children are expected to grow and change in an environment that nurtures their spirits and challenges them to develop inner resources for discipline and achievement. A variety of gifts and talents are honored.

We offer a comprehensive academic program which provides a natural progression from the primary grades to upper elementary.

Pre-K - 2nd Grade curriculum includes:

- Art; Music; Drama; Physical education; Math; Science; Social studies; Language arts; Ecological education; Extracurricular activities; After School Care.