ALUMNI
Parents, are you wondering if a TCS education prepares students for high school, college, and beyond? It sure does. We are proud that we ignite a love of learning, and offer a program that strengthens both critical thinking and social skills in addition to academics. This combination of skills traditionally serves our graduates very well after they leave TCS.
Where You'll Find TCS Alumni
Oak Park River Forest High School ~ St. Ignatius High School ~ Tallgrass Sudbury School ~ Fusion Academy
The Latin School ~ Madison Memorial High School ~ GCE Lab School ~ Beacon Academy
Illinois Math and Science Academy ~ Fenwick High School ~ Trinity High School ~ Nazareth Academy
Morton West High School ~ Eagle Hill ~ The Wolcott School ~ Lyons Township High School
Chicago High School for the Arts ~ St. Joseph's High School ~ Washington University
Lawrence University ~ Coe College ~ Yale University ~ Whitman College ~ Santa Clara University
Vanderbilt University ~ Drake University ~ Roosevelt University ~ University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Puget Sound ~ University of Wisconsin - Fordham University - Reed University
University of Dayton ~ University of Illinois, College of Engineering ~ Purdue University
Brandeis University ~ University of Southern California ~ University of Iowa
Macalaster College ~ Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicans and Surgeons
Students graduating from The Children's School have gone on to succeed in a variety of high school and college environments -- from traditional mainstream high schools, to alternative and lab schools, to some of the top colleges and universities in the nation. "Our graduates have strong self-advocacy skills and enter high school with the ability to talk with teachers and counselors about how they can improve their learning and and get the most out of school," says TCS High School Transition Coordinator and 8th grade teacher, Gloria Mitchell. "They are curious, thoughtful, self-aware, and prepared to set and pursue personal and academic goals."
In survey after survey, our alumni report that TCS gave them a love of learning and an interest in pursuing their own projects; the ability to work well with others, both peers and adults; an understanding of their own strengths and challenges and how to leverage them in a new environment, as well as strong writing and math preparation. As more classes graduate from our relatively young school, we will continue to build data tracking their experiences in post-elementary education.
Dear TCS Alumni and Alumni Parents,
“Our family joined the The Children's School community in its second year of operation when my oldest child, Iris, was entering Kindergarten at the Gale House! The school's founder, Daniel Ryan, had been a guest lecturer one day when I was in graduate school at Erikson Institute. He gave a talk on the importance of including ALL families in the educational and therapeutic process! His lecture really made an impression. A year later he came to a board meeting at my daughter's nursery school to talk about a new school he was creating and I was intrigued. So we have been a part of the TCS community for a long time.
Iris is now a Senior at Oak Park River Forest High School and will soon leave to study art & neuroscience at university. Her younger brother Simon is a Sophomore at OPRF this year. Both children attended TCS kindergarten through 5th grade.
I can remember nearly every child who passed through our doors in the 8 years my children were enrolled -- as well as their parents and siblings! Those children -- some of whom are now well into their university careers -- have incredible stories to tell and I want to make sure that they know they are still a very valuable part of our community. "
Sincerely,
Susie Donohue, Alumni Parent
2022 UPDATE on Iris!
TCS alumn Iris Nosek earned their BA in Psychology this past weekend, graduating Magna Cum Laude with an honors distinction (top 10% of grads in class) from the University of Puget Sound. They plan to enter graduate school to earn a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. Congratulations, Iris!
Wondering if TCS middle school is the right choice?
Hear several of our alumni from The Children's School share how TCS prepared them for high school. What strengths did they gain from their time at TCS? Were the social adjustments of high school difficult? What about math and science, were they prepared?
Also, meet our middle school teachers and hear their thoughts on the advantages of TCS for adolescents. If you are considering middle school at The Children's School, this is a great video to hear why young people who are now in high school feel that TCS prepared them well plus gave them several advantages.
