CICS Irving Park -

For many students, Kindergarten is their first step into school. At CICS Irving Park—a Distinctive Schools campus—it’s also the beginning of a joyful, personalized learning journey where every child is known, valued, and celebrated. Our Kindergarten classrooms are safe, welcoming classrooms where curiosity thrives, friendships blossom, and learning feels like play.

Our Kindergarten teachers are nurturing, early childhood experts who meet each student where they are academically, socially, and emotionally. Fostering a love of learning that lasts a lifetime begins with honoring each child’s voice and choice through personalized, developmentally appropriate practices, anchored by foundational phonics instruction essential for unlocking the world of reading.

Social-emotional development is essential to our Kindergarten experience. We help children build confidence, regulate emotions, solve problems, and make meaningful connections with peers and adults. Our classrooms are communities where students feel a strong sense of belonging—and where families are valued as essential partners in their child’s growth.

Distinctive Schools teachers build strong relationships with families through open communication, ongoing collaboration, and shared celebrations of progress. Whether it’s a family showcase, a morning greeting, or a quick check-in, we believe in walking this journey together.

From literacy and numeracy foundations to rich exploration in science, art, and play, our Kindergarten classes balance structure with flexibility, encouraging students to wonder, explore, and grow!

If you’re looking for a warm, inclusive environment where your child will thrive, we invite you to explore Kindergarten at Distinctive Schools. This is where it all begins—and we can’t wait to welcome you.