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Community of Learners Preschool Overview

About Our Program

Community of Learners is Lake Forest School District 67's early childhood preschool program for students ages 3-5 year-olds residing within the District 67 school boundaries.

Mission and Vision

Community of Learners provides a nurturing, inclusive environment that fosters development of the whole child. All children are engaged participants in their learning community, growing and achieving to their fullest potential. Students discover and explore their curiosities in order to drive their own learning.

The Program 

We utilize an inclusive learning environment comprising typically developing preschoolers and preschoolers receiving special education services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This is also referred to as a blended model. In alignment with District 67’s philosophy of inclusion, special education and related services are provided within the general education classroom setting as much as possible. The Community of Learners uses the Creative Curriculum for Preschool and thematic units are carried over in our different interest areas around the classroom. Students develop through play-based learning as well as teacher-led activities. Typically, developing peers benefit from being taught by experts, enjoy leadership opportunities, and learn within a small student-to-teacher ratio.

The Staff

Each classroom is led by a teacher certified in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, creating a strong, inclusive foundation for all learners. Students benefit from a language-rich environment supported by a Speech-Language Pathologist two full days per week and a Social Worker two full days per week. Additional push-in support is provided by Occupational and Physical Therapists, ensuring students have access to specialized expertise within the classroom setting. Paraprofessionals are also an integral part of the team, helping maintain a low student-to-staff ratio of approximately 5:1 and allowing for individualized support so all students can learn and thrive.

CLICK HERE TO MEET OUR TEAM 

District 67 Alignment and Engagement

The Community of Learners program is housed within District 67's Sheridan Elementary school. This provides unique opportunities for our students to align with District 67's calendar, activities, and curricula.

The Details

Community of Learners meets Monday-Friday for 2.5 hours. The AM program runs from 8:30 am -11:00 am and PM runs from 12:00 pm -2:30 pm.