Chicago Free School

• Maker Space - a creative time for 1-8th grade to create, build, and have the freedom to bring their imagination to life. This can be through robotics, 3D printing, creating vinyl images, beading, weaving, or any combination!
• Student-led clubs - Students have time and space to explore ideas that are important to them. This could be creating signs to advocate or protest, making newsletters or posters to bring awareness to issues they value
• Rotating electives - exploring subjects in multi-age groups to bring mentorship and use peer-to-peer teaching to help fully explore ideas
• Field trips - Chicago Free School makes a point to see and explore Chicago as a regular part of their curriculum, using public transportation to see spaces like the DuSable History Museum, Michigan Lake Shore and other nature preserves that are accessible by bike, all parts of the Museum Campus downtown, and the Indiana Dunes.

• wire and components for robotics projects
• Supplies to complete 3D printing projects
• Paper, glue, pens, and markers
• yarn and textiles
• bins and containers

Support an Urgently-Needed Alternative
Chicago Free School was started by a group of educators and families  in order offer students a dramatically different school experience.

We believe in empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey. Harnessing the power of students' natural curiosity and self-motivation, we offer authentic learning experiences that are joyful, hands-on, and connected to the wider world. 

At CFS, students are given a voice and provided opportunities to develop independence, compassion, and mastery at their own pace. They find their own passions and develop their own strengths. Chicago Free School believes in seeing the whole child. Unlike traditional schools, we do not approach learning as a one-size-fits-all race where standardized test-scores are emphasized above creativity or deep engagement. 

We practice democracy and inclusion in our community. Social justice connects to everything we do, and students learn democratic conflict-resolution and experience activism in the classroom and beyond.

Our unique sliding-scale tuition model makes it possible for us to include a diverse community of families from across the South Side. Our goal is to be affordable to everyone, regardless of income. Your donation helps make that possible. 77% of our families qualify for sliding-scale tuition.

Where Your Donation Goes
About 90% of our budget goes directly into our classrooms. We are resourceful in making a little go a long way, so your donation of any amount will have a major impact. 

A donation of $20 will help us buy supplies for an inquiry-based science center to study fossils, butterflies, or plants.

$40 will purchase a set of math manipulatives for a hands-on unit on fractions.

$75 will purchase a class set of novels for a historical-fiction exploration of black history.

$200 will pay for transportation to a nearby habitat to do on-site ecology explorations.

$1000 will help us sponsor a low-income student for a month, and $10,000 will sponsor a student for an entire year. 

What Students and Families Say

"During our time at the Free School, I have watched my children blossom into curious, caring boys, who are actively engaged in the learning process. They are becoming critical thinkers who love to learn. This is the way that learning should be for all children and is a true testament to the power of the Free School model." 
-Leanne, parent.
 
"I love that our community reflects the diversity of Chicago."
-Raquel, parent.

"At CFS, I am taught with respect and I learn something new every day. It's not like any other school.  At this school we have more choices."
- Sofia, elementary student.

" I’m deeply grateful to have found CFS, the community of awake and compassionate people, and the support system it provides. Thank you for the wonderful work you’re doing for my family and many others."
-Jennifer, parent

"At this school, we have freedom, but freedom also means responsibility."
-Cameron, middle-school student.