QUICK FACTS
- For the 2005-06 school year, ICS serves students in pre-kindergarten (Pre-K3 and Pre-K4) through 3rd grade; a new grade will be added annually through 8th grade.
- Pre-kindergarten & kindergarten classes are NAEYC accredited.
- For the 2005-06 school year the average class size is 20 students with 2 full-time teachers (10:1 average student/teacher ratio).
- All ICS teachers are certified professional educators and 50% have or are currently pursuing Masters Degrees.
- ICS has an outstanding curriculum where students participate in an integrated learning approach through thematic units (see specific preschool and elementary program information below).
- Catholic values are taught through monthly prayer services, participation in sacraments and service projects.
- All ICS students participate in foreign language, music, physical education and fine arts classes.
- Preschoolers learn in new, "state-of-the-art" classrooms.
- Students utilize a new mobile technology lab consisting of 25 Apple iBooks.
- Kindergarten students and older wear uniforms
- A hot lunch program is available for all students.
- Extended day care is available (both before and after school).
- Need-based scholarships are available for those who qualify. $90,000 in scholarships was awarded for the 2005-06 school year.
ICS STUDENTS
- 44% male, 56% female
- 73% Catholic, 27% non-Catholic
- ICS families represent over 20 Catholic Parish affiliations
- 14% of ICS students receive tuition assistance
- ICS is comprised of families from over 24 Chicago zip codes
- ICS families come from many diverse backgrounds:
| Asian |  | 2% |
| Black Non-Hispanic | | 10% |
| Hispanic | | 2% |
| Multi-Racial | | 11% |
| Native American | | 1%
|
| White Non-Hispanic | | 74% |
ICS PRESCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS: PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH
The ICS Preschool Program
The goal of our preschool program is to provide a rich environment that encourages children to observe, to be active, to make choices, and to experiment.
During the early childhood years, children are learning to trust others outside their families. They gain independence and self-control, take initiative and assert themselves in socially acceptable ways. Children make sense of the world around them through active involvement with their environment, observing what happens when they interact with materials and other people. For these reasons, at Immaculate Conception School we use a center-directed approach to learning. Each classroom has centers that include: Language Arts Center, Art Center, Math Center, Dramatic Play Center, Science Center, Construction Center, Religion Center, Sensory Center and Book Center.
All activities are appropriate for the age and developmental level of the class, and teachers work with each child to ensure that his or her individual educational and developmental needs are being met, with particular focus on the following objectives: Physical Development, Visual Perception, Fine Motor Skills, Auditory Perception, Gross Motor Skills, Personal Development and Social Development (Self Esteem and Self-Help Skills).
The daily activities of your child will include a balance of quiet and active play; large group activities, small group activities, and opportunities to play alone or with others; as well as time for self-selected activities and teacher-directed activities. Full day students will have a chance to sleep or rest during the day. Children will also engage in self-help skills such as toileting, dressing and washing hands, as well as tasks in the classroom such as table setting and cleaning up.
The ICS Elementary Program
The goal of our elementary program is to provide each student with a superior education - one that develops his or her individual, spiritual, intellectual, physical and cultural potential to the fullest extent.
Subjects throughout the curriculum are taught in self-contained classrooms that nurture a strong sense of self-esteem and stimulate academic, emotional, social and spiritual development. In this learning environment, students follow thematic study units that include language arts, science, mathematics and social studies, as well as additional curriculum subjects.
LANGUAGE ARTS: The language arts curriculum encompasses reading, creative writing, listening, speaking, spelling, phonics, vocabulary development and handwriting, with a special emphasis placed on developing a love for reading.
SCIENCE: The science curriculum emphasizes the important skills of observation, recording data, and predicting and drawing conclusions. Our hands-on approach incorporates science-related activities and field trips.
MATHEMATICS: The math curriculum allows students to understand the real world application of math concepts by connecting the physical world with the world of numbers through problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
SOCIAL STUDIES: The social studies curriculum emphasizes the child's place within the community and the world at large, promoting an appreciation for a multicultural society. Projects are integrated with geography and history units.
ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM: To enhance and integrate our curriculum, students meet with specialized teachers throughout the week who allow students to experience music, fine arts, Spanish, religion and physical education.
SOURCES OF OPERATING FUNDS FOR ICS
Tuition and Fees: 73%
Contributed Revenue: Annual Fund, fund-raising, donations: 21%
Parish Support: 6%
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
There are many opportunities for parents to be involved at ICS. They can work directly with the teachers as room parents, volunteer at the library, escort field trips, attend monthly family prayer services or make a "surprise" visit to the class to read a book. Parents can also volunteer for a variety of School Advisory Board committees including long-term planning, fundraising & development, marketing & recruitment and many others. In addition, the ICS Parents' Association has ample volunteer roles in community service, coordinating faith-building initiatives and planning social and educational events for parents.
