Core Values
LEARN creates an intimate, resource-rich environment where students receive a high level of attention and support to meet individual academic needs. Both the overall size of the schools and the individual classrooms are kept small to maintain the intimate feel critical to creating a family environment. LEARN targets its average class sizes to 22 students, and staffs each room with a teacher and instructional assistant for the Pre-K through fifth grades and a teacher and shared instructional assistant for grades sixth through eighth. As a result, our 15:1 average student-to-instructor ratio is one of the lowest in the city of Chicago. The smaller number of students per classroom and the dedicated instructional assistants allow for better classroom management, significant small group work, and the execution of differentiated instruction. In this family environment, teachers have the ability to pay close attention to the students’ needs and adjust their customized curricula accordingly.
LEARN’s educational program is guided by five core values that define and shape the culture and environment at all LEARN schools.
Core Values
1. Culture of Respect
2. High Expectations
3. Safe and Nurturing Environment
4. Focus on the Whole Child
5. Family Involvement
Core Value One: Mutual respect among staff, parents, students and communities served
LEARN’s culture of respect is expected between and among staff, parents, students and the communities that LEARN serves. Respect is reflected in the fact that all LEARN schools have an open door policy. The administration and instructors are always available to talk to parents and guardians.
We believe it is the right, privilege and responsibility of each individual to contribute to and work in an environment of trust and cooperation.
Core Value Two: LEARN has expectations of high achievement for its staff (high quality), parents (contribution) and students (high achievement).
LEARN believes that the utilization of data helps instructors and school leaders develop targeted instructional strategies for excellence. LEARN uses school-wide instructional monitoring to ensure that academic expectations are being met consistently throughout the year. Since LEARN provides numerous resources to instructors, instructors are held accountable for student performance.
Core Value Three: Safe and nurturing environment in a small school setting
LEARN is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for its scholars to learn. As soon as a child walks through the door, LEARN promotes a sense of well-being and warmth. A goal at LEARN is to provide a safe haven for children. We aim to provide a place where learning takes place and students gain a sense of acceptance and pride.
Core Value Four: Positive development of the whole child
LEARN is dedicated to assisting students with achieving academic excellence, but also helping to develop the child’s character. LEARN’s educational program design is based on the belief that high-levels of academic achievement are only sustainable if teaching and learning is contextually meaningful, culturally-rich and relationship-based. Strategies such as guided reading, differentiated instruction, writing across the curriculum, and quarterly interest projects promote student-centered learning environments that are individualized to each learner and provide rich opportunities for children to engage in higher-order thinking and problem-solving activities.
Core Value Five: Active family participation & Contribution
The role of family is key in youth development. LEARN can create the right learning environment at the school, but LEARN relies heavily on parental involvement in working with students when students are not on the school campus. At LEARN, the foundation of the school rests with the ability of parents to align their practices with the school’s academic and cultural principles. Therefore, it is critical to build and sustain trusting, long-term relationships with families. LEARN explicitly outlines for its parents what it means to partner with the school and clear expectations are set with parents from day one.
