British International School of Chicago Lincoln Park


British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park (BISC Lincoln Park) is a private international school for Pre-Nursery to Year 6 students (ages 15+ months to 11 years) located in the Clybourn Corridor of Chicago, Illinois.[1] In September 2001, BISC Lincoln Park was the fourth school to open in the United States by the British Schools of America and first campus to open in the Midwest. The private elementary school is divided into three learning stages: Early Years Foundation Stage (pre-nursery, nursery school and Pre-K, ages 15+ months to 5), Key Stage 1 (primary school, ages 5 to 7), and Key Stage 2 (primary school, ages 7 to 11).

British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park
Address
Map
814 & 821 W. Eastman Street

Chicago
,
60642

United States
Coordinates41°54′27″N 87°38′55″W / 41.9076°N 87.6487°W / 41.9076; -87.6487
Information
School typePreschool and Primary School
Established2001
PrincipalMike Henderson
GradesPre-Nursery to Year 6 (5th Grade)
Age range15 months to 11 years
Campus typeUrban
Houses4 (Blackhawk, Dayton, Eastman, Halsted)
AccreditationIPC, IEYC, IB, CIS, COBIS
Websitehttp://www.bischicagolp.org

History

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British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park (originally British School of Chicago) opened its door in the Edgewater community area on the north side of the city in 2001 nearby the Manor House in Bryn Mawr Historic District for parents seeking an alternative to the public school model.[2] In 2008, the school relocated to a newly constructed building in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Campus

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The five-story, 75,000 square foot British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park campus

The 75,000 square foot, five-story campus[3] for British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park was designed for an enrollment of up to 650 students and a 70-person staff.[4] The campus features an architectural framework of columns and beams, a curving exterior, prominently placed bay windows, and high-ceiling gym on the upper floors. The building features more than 40 learning spaces, including an indoor and outdoor physical development space, robotics and science labs, a maker space, dance studio, library and a STEAM corridor meant to bridge different areas of learning.[5]

Students

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British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park serves Pre-Nursery through Year 6 students ages 15 months to 11 years. The majority of pupils are Americans but with many dual nationals and heritages, has over 40 nationalities in the school who populate Chicago's large foreign-born population.

Curriculum

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British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park bases its values-based, global education learning goals on the International Primary Curriculum (IPC)[6] and the National Curriculum. The school teaches art, entrepreneurship and innovation, information and computing technology, literacy, math, modern foreign languages, music, physical and health education, and science.[7] In particular, the Chicago school emphasizes the benefits of a STEAM program,[8] collaborates with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to implement a STEAM program based on a multi-disciplinary approach pioneered by MIT,[9] is part of the Juilliard-Nord Anglia Performing Arts Program, operates its own music school, and participates in the Nord Anglia Education Global Campus program.

Global Initiatives & Collaborations

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Juilliard Nord-Anglia Performing Arts Program

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BISC Lincoln Park student participating in the Juilliard-Nord Anglia Performing Arts Program.

In February 2015, Nord Anglia Education and The Juilliard School selected British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park as one of ten Nord Anglia schools to pilot the launch of the Juilliard Nord Anglia-Performing Arts Program.[10] The campus officially implemented the program in the fall term of 2015. Since then, The Juilliard School has been named the world's best university for the study of performing arts,[11] and BISC Lincoln Park and students have received visits and performed for Juilliard President Dr. Joseph W. Polisi and Juilliard faculty member and Grammy-award winning artist Itzhak Perlman.[12] Studies have shown that a performing arts program improves test scores, reading proficiency, and overall academic achievement.[13] The learning-model program is built around the key works of music, dance, and drama with special visits and workshops led by various Juilliard alumni.

The Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards festival held in October 2016 showcased a Silver Dolphin winning short film featuring Juilliard alumni the Peter and Will Anderson Trio workshopping and performing with students at BISC Lincoln Park's campus.[14]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Collaboration

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British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park collaborates with Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In early summer of 2016, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park announced it will become one of the 13 inaugural Nord Anglia Education schools to collaborate with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to enhance science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) teaching and learning for K-12 students.[15] Launching in September 2016, the program includes the development of a series of in-school challenges for students which focus on the juncture between the five STEAM disciplines. Nord Anglia CEO Fitzmaurice believes the collaboration will ensure students are equipped with the skills to succeed in the future workplace.[16]

Awards & Accreditation

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Awards

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In 2006, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park (then British School of Chicago) won the British Consul General Award from the British American Business Council for advancing relations between the U.K. and the U.S. as well as increasing the company's international exposure.[17]

Accreditation

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British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park is accredited by the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). In 2010, the private school was the fourth only in the world to achieve "mastering" level in all areas in delivering the IPC. As of March 2016, the school is applying for Council of British International Schools (COBIS) accreditation.

Parent Company

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British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park is owned by Nord Anglia Education.[18]

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References

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  1. ^ "Private schools are popping up around town". Crain's Chicago Business. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. ^ "The Top Private Schools in Chicago and the Suburbs". Chicago magazine. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Epstein". www.epsteinglobal.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  4. ^ "British School of Chicago Traffic Impact Studies - KLOA, Inc. | Kenig, Lindgren, O'Hara, Aboona, Inc". www.kloainc.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  5. ^ "British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Exhibits New 'STEMs' at the Midwest's Premier Flower Show". www.ktvn.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  6. ^ Ltd, Fieldwork Education. "Home | The International Primary Curriculum". www.greatlearning.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. ^ "Gazette Chicago » Local communities offer excellent schools, educational choices". www.gazettechicago.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  8. ^ Maeda, John. "STEM to STEAM: Art in K-12 Is Key to Building a Strong Economy". Edutopia. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  9. ^ "British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Collaborates With MIT". Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  10. ^ "The Juilliard School and Nord Anglia Education Announce Global Collaboration | The Juilliard School". www.juilliard.edu. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  11. ^ "Juilliard Tops List of World's Best Schools for Performing Arts". Playbill. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  12. ^ "Itzhak Perlman Will Lead the Juilliard Orchestra at their Harris Theater Debut". www.newson6.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "The Benefit of Performing Arts for Children at British International School of Chicago". The Chicago Moms. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  14. ^ "Cannes Awards Selects British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Video as 2016 Festival Winner" (Press release).
  15. ^ "British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Collaborates With MIT". Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  16. ^ Park, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln. "British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park Collaborates With MIT". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 8 July 2016.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "News – British American Business Council Chicago". www.babcc.org. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  18. ^ Magazine, Relocate. "Nord Anglia Education final the acquisition of six more schools | Anne Keeling | Re:locate magazine". www.relocatemagazine.com. Retrieved 1 April 2016.