5 Schools on the Rise in Chicagoland

The school a child attends can be the difference between a happy kid with high marks and a child who doesn’t want to get on the school bus in the morning. 

Some children thrive in an environment centered on academics, while others flourish in a school setting where they can fill their schedule with art classes. Thankfully, emerging schools across Chicagoland offer options for every type of student. 

These five emerging schools — public, private or charter — are gaining recognition for innovation, growth and fresh approaches, offering parents promising new educational options to consider.

Read on for our list of five emerging schools across Chicagoland. 

It Takes a Village

• Address: 4930 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago
• Contact: 312-432-0096

This private school network started in 2004 with just 47 students. Since then, It Takes a Village (ITAV) has grown into a vibrant community of schools and programs across Chicagoland with a focus on social justice principles. 

The network purchased the former Hales Franciscan High School and moved its Village Leadership Academy for the 2024-25 academic year. Students now have more room to grow and a fresh start, thanks to a $12 million investment allowing the purchase and renovation of the 9.1 acre campus. 

While the school’s location has changed, its commitment to social justice is as strong as ever. Students at ITAV earn a global education, with travels to locations like Kenya as well as hands-on service learning projects. 

The new Bronzeville location serves grades K-8. Expansions for facilities to house early childhood education and high school students are planned for the future. 

Saint Viator High School

• Address: 1213 East Oakton St., Arlington Heights
• Contact: 847-392-4050

This Catholic, college-prep high school reestablished itself as a top choice for high-achieving students in Chicagoland when it was designated a National Blue Ribbon School last year. 

Saint Viator is guided by a Viatorian mission. Boys and girls are encouraged to embark on personal spiritual journeys through service, retreats, liturgical experiences and theology classes. 

The school has also added new programs and classes. New course additions include AP pre-calculus, principles of engineering, AP environmental science, AP music theory and environmental justice. Plus, the school now offers Project Lead the Way, a STEM-focused learning program. 

Another standout program for students interested in launching their own business is INCubatoredu. Students create their own businesses and develop skills while working alongside real-world entrepreneurs. 

Saint Viator is an excellent option for students motivated to learn in a rigorous academic environment with a deeply rooted Catholic faith. 

Hawthorne Scholastic Academy 

• Address: 3319 N Clifton Ave, Chicago
• Contact: 773-534-5550

Over the last three years, Hawthorne Scholastic Academy has made exceptional progress in student academics and achievement. 

While the academy has always scored highly, its recent level of academic achievement earned it a place among the National Blue Ribbon School winners last year. In 2024, more than 95% of its students met the threshold for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, compared to the state’s roughly 28%.

Hawthorne Scholastic Academy was the only school in the Chicago Public Schools district to make the list in 2024. 

And while academics are a top priority for this school, students also have access to many clubs, extracurriculars and opportunities with community partners. 

The magnet school serves roughly 616 students in grades K-8 and uses a lottery system. There is no testing requirement for acceptance. 

City Garden Waldorf School 

• Address: 920 W 19th St., Chicago
• Contact: 312-421-3050

City Garden Waldorf School recently expanded. Now, children as young as 2 can learn in a holistic environment centered on educating the whole child. 

A Waldorf education is focused on more than just academics. Students are encouraged to deepen their creativity through imaginative play. Standardized testing is limited, teachers have more individual control over their lessons and children are encouraged to use the outdoors as a classroom at these schools. 

Early childhood education in Waldorf schools also focuses on storytelling. Children are introduced to the wider world through the use of stories, myths and fables; the act of storytelling is meant to spark a love of language and other cultures in students.

Waldorf schools are rare across Chicagoland and City Garden is one of the only ones to focus solely on educating the youngest learners. The school offers four mixed age classrooms for students from ages 2 to 6. 

Art in Motion Creative Arts School 

• Address: 7415 S East End Ave., Chicago
• Contact: 773-820-9426

This school year marks a major development for Art in Motion Creative Arts School. Late last year, a 110,000-square-foot expansion added new space for students to thrive. 

Art in Motion Creative Arts School was co-founded by Grammy award winning rapper Common in the South Shore neighborhood in 2019. The charter school’s art infused core academics prepare students for future success and fulfillment. 

The school serves roughly 532 students across grades 7-12. In those critical years before graduation, students receive opportunities for personalized instruction, 1:1 mentoring and self-directed learning. 

Art options are robust at this school–students can choose from classes like music theory, dance, film and video, illustration, painting, creative writing and more.