Supporting Every Learner, Every Step of the Way

At Distinctive Schools, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are. That means honoring the rich cultural and linguistic backgrounds of our students, ensuring they have the academic and social-emotional supports they need to succeed, and fostering a school culture where wellness is prioritized.

Through programs that build bilingual skills, systems that provide layered academic and behavioral support, and a proactive focus on mental health and well-being, we partner with families to create joyful, inclusive schools where every student can thrive.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Support 

At Distinctive Schools, we proudly support our students who come from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We believe in celebrating their home languages and cultures while helping them excel academically.

Here’s how we do it:

  • Learning in Two Languages: For our younger students (Kindergarten through 5th grade), we use a special curriculum that helps them build strong English skills while also developing their abilities in their home language. This creates a solid foundation in reading and writing in both languages.

  • Targeted English Support: We have a dedicated program just for learning English. This means students get specific lessons designed for their current English level, with extra help built into lessons to make sure they understand and succeed.

  • Flexible Support: We offer support in different ways, sometimes working with students in their regular classroom, and other times pulling them into small groups for focused instruction. This ensures they get the help they need without missing out on important lessons.

  • Celebrating Bilingualism: We encourage our 5th and 8th graders to test for the Seal of Biliteracy each year. This officially recognizes and celebrates their amazing ability to be fluent in two languages.

  • Partnering with Families: Your involvement is key! We host events throughout the year to build strong connections between home and school, working together to create a welcoming and supportive environment where every student thrives.

We are committed to making sure all students feel included and succeed!

Multi-Tiered System of Support

At Distinctive Schools, we use a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), a collaborative, learner-centered, and data-driven system where all educators work to support every student's academics, behavior, attendance, social-emotional learning, and enrichment.

Here's how we support your child:

  • Dedicated Care Team: Every campus has a School Social Worker ready to help students and families. We also partner with services like Care Solace for all Distinctive Schools families and staff, and high schoolers can access confidential mental health support through Hazel Health teletherapy. We even monitor school devices through Gaggle to keep students safe online.

  • Strong Community Connections: We build relationships with local mental health experts, such as GRO Counseling and Communities in Schools, to offer resources tailored to our neighborhoods. Our staff receives training in trauma-informed practices and de-escalation techniques, creating a caring and responsive environment. For students who need more help, our school leaders work directly with our Director of Clinical Services and connect families to a network of community partners like the Illinois Autism Center and Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.

  • Personalized Learning Support: MTSS helps us provide support at different levels:

    • Tier 1: All students receive excellent, personalized teaching in their regular classroom.

    • Tier 2: If a student needs a bit more help, we add an extra layer of support, like targeted small group instruction.

    • Tier 3: For students needing even more focused attention, we provide a third, highly personalized level of intensive support.

This comprehensive, data-driven approach ensures that all educators work together to support every student's academic progress, behavior, attendance, social-emotional learning, and personal growth.

Mental Health + Wellness

Distinctive Schools takes a comprehensive and proactive approach to mental health and wellness, recognizing it as fundamental to student success and a joyful learning environment. 

  • Prioritizing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): We integrate SEL into the core of our educational approach, utilizing programs like Move This World and Classroom Champions. This includes regular video-based exercises, interactive lessons, and dedicated community time in classrooms—like morning meetings—where our students practice relationship-building, identify emotions, and develop coping skills. SEL is embedded into everything we do, including our daily routines to foster self-regulation, self-awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision-making.

  • Dedicated Student Support Teams: Each Distinctive Schools campus—including ours—has a team of school social workers, and psychologists who are trained mental health professionals. They provide direct support to students through one-on-one sessions, small groups, and crisis response. Our clinicians partner closely with our Culture Teams and Administration to create comprehensive support plans, personalized for our students’ needs. Our teams are committed to connecting students and families with the care they need, building meaningful relationships, and ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and supported.

  • Partnerships for External Support: Distinctive Schools students and families have access to all of Chicago Public Schools’ mental health and suicide prevention resources, including Hazel Health, the nationals largest school-centered provider of telehealth services open to all high school students. We also partner with Care Solace to offer complimentary and confidential care coordination services to students, staff, and their families. This service helps quickly connect individuals with mental health or substance use treatment options, available 24/7 in any language. Each campus also cultivates personalized partnerships with community mental health agencies and additional resources to provide students and their families with options for counseling, crisis support, and long-term care, ensuring access to the right help at the right time.

At Distinctive Schools, We Believe:

  • Every student deserves proactive, compassionate mental health and wellness supports.

  • Students thrive when they have voice and choice in their own well-being journey.

  • Trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally responsive practices build resilience and belonging.

  • Wellness is measured by student growth—by how students feel, cope, and connect with others.

  • Families, educators, and community partners must work together to nurture lifelong well-being.