I agree recent negative posts are misleading. While last year was tumultuous for some parents, the children were thriving. Some examples: First graders studied the U.S. by reading Wild West stories, Native American folktales, Tall Tales, learning the history of jazz in Music, painting their favorite
... Read more American landscapes in Art, researching states in Technology, reading American poets, and having parents talk about their home states. Third graders studied Economics by creating their own market of goods and services. They studied market influences, visited Green City Market to interview vendors, created pricing and marketing plans, advertising, and made the products. All proceeds were donated to charities which the children researched and chose. There is astounding collaboration between classroom teachers and Specials teachers to make curriculum fully integrated. The interim director has the knowledge and connections to guide the board to a great selection of a permanent director. This is a tremendous school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 10/07/09
Baker is an outstanding school. The teachers are terrific, and the environment is both challenging and nurturing. Yes, there have been challenges, and the school is working to establish effective leadership for the long term. But that said, much of the negative commentary here is misleading. These opinions
... Read more do not, in my view, represent most of us who have children at Baker. In fact, a survey of families done last year showed that the vast majority of parents believe in the school's mission and philosophies, believe that the school is delivering well on them, and see the quality of a Baker education to be very high. I have two daughters there. They love school so much that they are disappointed when the weekend begins! If you are interested in a unique and progressive education for your child, look past this vocal minority here and check out the school for yourself :) Read less
Posted by a parent on 10/02/09
The other posts regarding the high turnover among faculty and administration are correct. At this point, a child's classroom experience is uneven at best -- a good year, followed by a mediocre year. The facilities are terrific, and there are some good people there - but altogether it's not nearly enough
... Read more to take a risk that your child will get what he/she needs in any given year. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/05/09
Our child attended Baker for one year and did not return. We're much happier with the school we started this year. The recent posts that speak about inconsistency, 'be very careful,' etc. are all true and just what our family experienced. My guess is the staff are unhappy with all the administrative
... Read more chaos and it shows in the classroom. There are a few good teachers, but luck of the draw during this period of turnover and imbalance is not worth the cost or the year we wasted. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/04/09
My 2 children have attended Baker for the last 3 years but will not be returning because of the turmoil in the school. Although many have worked very hard to preserve this school and its core progressive educational values after it separated from NLU, the Board has been unable to maintain its focus.
... Read more The Board is a closed system and self-appoints its members which conflicts with the democratic principals of progressive education and has contributed to the school's current status. The significant administrative and faculty turnover in the last few years is disruptive for all in the community. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/16/09
My child has attended Baker for the past 5 years. The early childhood program is amazing and has the right balance of play, exploring, discovering, imagining, creating and building -- all part of a progressive hands-on authentic experiential learning experience. However, our experience in the upper grades
... Read more has not been anywhere close to the earlier experience our child had. The school has had great turmoil at the administration level over the past several years (5 Heads in 5 years!) which has left the school unorganized, scrambling and inconsistent. It is constantly reinventing itself and moving further away from it's progressive roots. Also, the board is closed and self-appointed, which is contrary to the democratic roots of progressive education. I truly hope Baker can find it's way in years to come. It was a great school for my child for many years and hope it can return to that. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/05/09
The June 24 post is laughable. The school hasn't established anything since the ousting of the latest director (as of June 5 or so) and there is no evidence of any return to or establishment of anything. There is no way anyone can tell anything about the upcoming year. The people who ousted the last
... Read more director will be happier and are trying to encourage enrollment by posting this funny comment but it is delusional. The community which was already fragile has been viciously torn apart for petty reasons. It seems that petty things are more important than the greater good of the school. One more year the children have lost and Baker is one more year behind getting on track and becoming an excellent school. It had the potential but the constant infighting and dogmatic attitudes are going to be the end of it. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/05/09
If you believe in progressive education that also imparts solid academics- I would look elsewhere. The lack of consistency between classrooms and the inability to show the success of their methods drove us out and quick. be very careful- things are not as they appear here. we were told one thing
... Read more and then experienced quite another. Our children had to be tutored for months before they were up to speed for their new school. wish we would have asked for our money back--- Read less
Posted by a parent on 07/29/09
After trying it for two years, we have given up on this chaotic institution. Patchy teaching, a Board in turmoil, revolving door for the Head of School position... Not a place for my kids or my family.
... Read moreRead less
Posted by a parent on 07/17/09
All three of my children thrived at Baker and I think the school is excellent. It looks like it will survive this terrible economy. Its new administration looks like it has the potential to lead the school to a great place. With collaboration with the board of trustees and a solid commitment by all
... Read more to their designated role, Baker will be a shining star on the north shore. Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Evanston schools — Baker Demonstration School is located at 2840 Sheridan Rd, Evanston IL 60201. 2840 Sheridan Rd is in the 60201 ZIP code in Evanston, IL Baker Demonstration School is a Private school that serves grade levels PK - 8.
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