Now enrolling ages three and four in our tuition-free Pre-K program to join our whole-child, dual-language, nature-based, Reggio-inspired learning community!
As the Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC) prepares for the transition to our six-acre community wellness, learning and sustainability hub, we are excited to announce the launch of our Early Childhood program for ages three and four, which will commence this fall.
Early Childhood Education Reimagined
AGC’s tuition-free Early Childhood (EC) program will extend our comprehensive model to early learners and will be rooted in our nature-centric, play-based, whole-child, Reggio-inspired, dual-language, and International Baccalaureate approach.
The following core elements of the Early Childhood Learning Center will provide a hopeful, empowering and evidence-based learning environment:
- Providing a Full-Day of Reggio-Inspired, International Baccalaureate and Dual-Language Learning
- Producing Organic Food, Serving Healthy Meals and Elevating Nutrition
- Promoting Wellness, Prompting Movement and Inspiring Active Play
- Integrating Sustainability, Nature-Based Exploration and Environmental Studies
- Engaging Families as Partners in their Children’s Education
- Supporting Diverse Learners and Embracing Special Needs Students
- Investing in Trauma-Informed Care and Social Emotional Learning
For program questions, families can contact AGC’s Director of Early Childhood Learning, Jesús Oviedo, at joviedo@agcchicago.org. To enroll a three- or four-year-old child, please contact Lesly Castro at lcastro@agcchicago.org. To be placed on AGC’s Kindergarten-8th Grade waiting list, Maribel Mares can be reached at mmares@agcchicago.org.
The Future of Learning at our New Campus
EC students will be provided the opportunity to continue their education at AGC’s visionary new campus in Southwest Chicago in an Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) designed by experts from all over the world who have helped us reimagine whole-child learning. The Early Childhood Learning Center at our new campus will have six learning spaces that are being specially designed with three- and four-year-olds in mind, optimizing for movement, encouraging active inquiry, and celebrating nutrition and well-being.
With our partners at Urban Growers Collective and child wellness experts, we will establish a campus learning barn and greenhouses, organic food production and on-site meal preparation, including a dedicated Learning Kitchen for pre-schoolers. The ECLC will also include dedicated outdoor learning, growing and nature-based playscapes that have been developmentally designed for our youngest students. The net-positive energy campus and community sustainability hub will also be home to orchards, apiaries, food forests, community gardens, a fresh food store, health care center, wellness facilities, learning barn, and a teacher training institute.
AGC’s Partnership with Start Early
AGC is honored to have been selected as a partner and sub-grantee of Start Early (formerly the Ounce of Prevention).
“From research among leading economists to education experts, the evidence-base for investing in high quality early learning is irrefutable”, said AGC’s Founder, Sarah Elizabeth Ippel. “We couldn’t be more excited to extend our innovative learning model to provide a strong foundation for our youngest learners.”
“We are thrilled to expand our presence here in our hometown and bring new partners and perspectives to our work serving families and communities in need of quality early learning and care,” said Diana Rauner, president of Start Early.
Start Early, as the grantee, will work alongside each partner to provide critical program supports, in key service and system areas, including implementation guidance, training, curricula, screening and assessment tools, data systems, monitoring and research-to-practice continuous quality improvement. Start Early will also engage leaders, staff, and parents in a robust network of shared learning, innovation, and mutual support.For More Information
Click here to learn more about Start Early’s expansion of quality early learning opportunities. To learn more about AGC’s K-8 public education model, click here, and to learn about our future campus and community sustainability hub, click here. For press inquiries, please contact AGC’s Executive Director, Sarah Elizabeth Ippel at sarahelizabeth@agcchicago.org.
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