CICS Longwood Elementary -

Distinctive Schools is proud of our collaborative, innovative, and welcoming educational experience, where every student truly belongs. Distinctive students become confident advoc...

Distinctive Schools is buzzing with excitement, pride, and a touch of bittersweet farewells as we celebrate our incredible "Step Up" ceremonies across our campuses! This special...

This is Part II in a three-part blog series exploring how Distinctive Schools is approaching artificial intelligence (AI) in education. From building custom tools to supporting s...

On Wednesday, June 4, Chicago International Charter School (CICS) Loomis and Chicago International Charter School (CICS) Longwood Elementary opened their doors to the co...

On May 15, students from CICS Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond had an unforgettable experience as they welcomed the National Basketball Athletic Equipment Managers Association (NBA...

May is Mental Health Awareness month. At Distinctive Schools, we believe in fostering a culture where open, compassionate conversations about mental health are encouraged and are ...

April is Stress Awareness Month—a reminder to prioritize mental well-being. With academic and daily demands, Distinctive Schools students and families should take intentional mome...

No two Distinctive Schools Assistant Principals are exactly alike, but they all share a deep commitment to ignite teacher leadership and champion student excellence. As we prepa...

This is Part I in a three-part blog series exploring how Distinctive Schools is approaching artificial intelligence (AI) in education. From building custom tools to supporting st...

International Social Emotional Learning Day on March 10th is a way to celebrate the way SEL is “Uplifting Hearts, Connecting Minds.” Studies show SEL reduces stress and promotes...

Every year, Distinctive Schools administers federally-required state assessments that help us gauge how our students are growing academically compared to their peers across the st...

Chicago, IL – February 18, 2025 – Distinctive Schools is excited to announce the appointment of Mary Beck as its new President, effective February 10, 2025. Beck, a longtime edu...

At Distinctive Schools, we believe strongly in the power of student voice – insight shared directly from our students is invaluable to us. Our Learner Advisory embodies this pr...

Every year, Distinctive Schools administers federally-required state assessments that help us gauge how our students are growing academically compared to their peers across the st...

At Distinctive Schools, we are committed to creating a supportive, student-centered environment where every child feels seen, heard, and valued. This work wouldn’t be possible wit...

In the spirit of this season, we’re uplifting the impact of being Distinctive through alumni voices. This couldn’t ring more true than with CICS Loomis-Longwood alum-turned-basket...

This November we’re continuing to share gratitude, and our CICS Loomis and CICS Longwood Elementary School communities have so much to be grateful for. Parents like Lonzetta McK...

CICS Longwood Elementary hosted a high school fair for 8th graders from Distinctive Schools campuses, including Art In Motion, CICS Longwood Elementary , and CICS Prairie . Stud...

On October 8, 2024, CICS Longwood students were treated to generous donations from Enchanted Backpack as part of our Community Hub model. Special thanks to our Community Schools ...

As we celebrate Principal Appreciation Month , there’s no better time to highlight the leadership of the two extraordinary leaders we’re honored to call Principal & Resident Prin...