Catherine Cook School Information Guide 2020-2021

INSPIRING PROBLEM SOLVERS

Preschool through 8th Grade

Why Catherine Cook School?

At Catherine Cook, our students cultivate a deep understanding of the world we live in, find their purpose within it, and develop the leadership skills to leave their mark.

Our curriculum is tailored to the whole child, creating a love of learning in core subjects like math, science, and literacy, while also allowing students to discover their artistic passions, build empathy for others, develop healthy habits, and have fun! Teachers encourage a growth mindset, allowing students to learn from their mistakes and think critically as they work through alternative ways of finding solutions.

Engaging student projects integrate innovative approaches with tried and true methods. These interdisciplinary experiences utilize research skills, problem solving, design thinking, and state-of-the-art technology resources to produce captivating multimedia productions, living museums, modern day newsrooms, and so much more. Additionally, our 1:1 iPad and laptop programs ensure every student has the personal technology needed to be successful in the classroom.

Prepared to take on our evolving world, graduates feel confident in their abilities as they continue their education at the top high schools in Chicago and across the country.

From test prep to your child’s final school selection, our High School Placement Director will be with your family every step of the way.

96%

of the Class of 2021 accepted into at least one of their top three high school choices

On-Campus Learning and Health Following a year of both on-campus and remote learning options for Catherine Cook families, we are excited to be fully on-campus for the 2021-2022 school year! With school policies and facilities enhancements that meet or exceed state and local COVID-19 requirements, our incredible campus spaces and resources will continue to provide every student with hands-on experiences that promote problem-solving, innovation, and compassionate leadership. And if an unexpected shift to remote learning becomes necessary, we will be prepared with the same exciting and academically rigorous approaches we perfected earlier in the pandemic.

“To me, Catherine Cook means home. It means family.

It was a comfortable place in which I could express myself while also learning from others in the process.

A place that taught me there’s always a bright side.

There’s always something going on for you.”

– Thalia, Class of 2020

Facilities Catherine Cook’s state-of-the-art facilities provide an engaging environment that sparks creativity and a passion for learning. Here are a few highlights:

Library

Arts

Features 20,000 books, cozy fireplace

Two visual arts classrooms with pottery

reading space, and Story Telling Room

kiln and two music classrooms with a wide variety of musical instruments

Cafeteria Renovated in 2017, features full

Science Labs

commercial kitchen, and serves as large-

Fully-equipped Lower School and Middle

group meeting space

School science labs

Mark Droegemueller Gymnasium

Nurse’s Office

Renovated in 2019, features professional

Full-time registered nurse on staff to

score board, performance stage and

serve the health needs of our students

theater lighting/sound, HD cinematic

and provide classroom and schoolwide

projector, Spirit Store, locker rooms,

updates to families

and 2nd floor running track

Innovation, Design, Engineering, and Art (IDEA) and IDEA Jr. Labs Features 3D printers, sewing machines, virtual reality devices, a laser cutter,

Movement Room Space for younger students to develop gross motor skills like jumping, dancing, and balance

traditional shop tools, interactive

Security

display wall, and an IDEA Jr. space for

Two security desks staffed full-time by

our youngest learners to investigate,

off-duty Chicago Police Officers

experiment, and create

AV Studio

Cobbler Square Additional Middle School classrooms

Features a green screen, recording

and offices as well as The Studio, a

studio, cameras of all types, and tools and

multipurpose meeting and black box

software to mix audio and visual elements

theater space

Rooftops Two rooftop recess spaces with a playground and open area for free play

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion At Catherine Cook, we are committed to creating a school community that represents and welcomes the vibrant cultures and experiences of Chicago. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work is a school-wide focus that aligns with our social-emotional learning curriculum. Students learn and collaborate most effectively when they understand their own identity and the identities of their peers. In age appropriate ways, students also learn to be change makers around issues of equality and social justice.

Professional development for faculty and staff includes social-emotional training, identity development, equity, and creating inclusive classrooms for all students, while parents and guardians have the opportunity to explore similar topics in the context of parenting. To learn more about DEI at Catherine Cook, please click here.

Financial Support Socioeconomic inclusion is critical to the success of any school community. For that reason, Catherine Cook has awarded more than $1.4 million in financial support this year to families who would not otherwise be able to attend. In addition to standard tuition assistance, financial support can be awarded through the Thatcher Swanson Grant for Diversity and Inclusion, which provides fully-funded tuition, fees, lunch, after school programming, and additional resources for a limited number of students each year. To learn more about our financial support opportunities, please click here.

Click here to see how tuition assistance impacts our community.

To learn more about Catherine Cook School, please contact:

Office of Admission

admission@ccookschool.org 312.266.3381 x3146

APPLY NOW

Mission Statement

Catherine Cook empowers students from preschool through eighth grade to be adaptive, confident and productive stewards of an evolving world. Our community engages with ideals of cultural competence, progressive academics, ethical literacy, and innovation designed to inspire personal excellence and compassionate leadership.

Diversity Statement

Catherine Cook School is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and compassionate community grounded in a culture of integrity.

Catherine Cook School | 226 W. Schiller St. | Chicago, IL 60610 | 312.266.3381 | catherinecookschool.org