British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park

The school is committed to the academic achievement and social-emotional development of every child through a personalized educational experience. It fosters a diverse, global community centered on nine core values: curiosity, adaptability, communication, cooperation, morals, resilience, respect, thoughtfulness, and empathy. The educational approach emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and a global mindset to prepare students for future success.

The school offers a curriculum blending the National Curriculum for England with the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The academic program includes specialist lessons in Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish), STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), performing arts, and athletics. The school serves students from Pre-Nursery (15–36 months) through Primary (Year 6, ages 5–11).

Upon completing Year 6 at the Lincoln Park campus, students matriculate directly to Year 7 at the British International School of Chicago, South Loop, without an additional admissions process. Graduates from the South Loop campus go on to attend top universities, with 100% of students passing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The school reports that 99% of parents believe their children receive a high-quality education and are taught by high-quality teachers.

The school employs a learning resources department that provides 1:1 or group support for students, including those with learning challenges or those requiring additional academic challenge. Teachers utilize flexible seating and low student-teacher ratios to implement a responsive curriculum that allows students to select appropriate levels of work. The staff is highly skilled in differentiation, utilizing both pull-out and push-in models to meet individual student needs.

The school offers year-round placements for students aged 15 months to 11 years. The admissions process includes submitting an online application, providing school records and supplemental documentation, and participating in a playdate or shadow day for students from Nursery through Year 6. Families may also schedule an optional in-person or online meeting with the admissions team.

The academic year is divided into three terms: Autumn, Spring, and Summer. The 2026-2027 calendar includes breaks for Autumn half-term (October), Thanksgiving (November), Winter break (December-January), Spring half-term (February), and Spring break (March-April). The school year concludes on June 17, 2027.

The campus consists of two buildings: a main facility for Nursery through Year 6 and a dedicated building for Pre-Nursery. Specialist facilities include a STEAM corridor with an art studio, design lab, and science classrooms; performing arts spaces featuring a black box theatre, dance studio, and music rooms; a full-size indoor gym; and a rooftop playground with a soccer pitch. The school also utilizes indoor playgrounds and a library to support student development.

The school provides a variety of enrichment classes and after-school clubs, including soccer, Mandarin, cooking, dance, and music. Students participate in a house system that fosters community and healthy competition through weekly spirit day challenges. Additionally, the school engages in local and global social purpose initiatives, such as collection drives for local charities and collaborative efforts with UNICEF.