Early Childhood - Blended

District 97 is pleased to offer early childhood blended classrooms for young learners for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. To participate in this program you must be an Oak Park resident and not enrolled in a preschool program for the Fall.

District 97 currently has a waitlist for the Early Childhood Blended Program at Whittier Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year. If you're interested in joining the waitlist, please click on the link below.

*Waitlist* - 2024-25 Early Childhood Blended Program Application 

A District 97 blended classroom uses a range of instructional approaches to support the education of children with disabilities alongside their peers without disabilities through an inclusive environment where all students engage in learning, play and social-emotional development. Researched-based curriculum is used and includes Handwriting Without Tears, Creative Curriculum and Second Step.

Our District 97 blended classrooms will be taught by a certified teacher who is dually licensed to teach both special education and general education students. In addition, there will be a teaching assistant(s) and related service providers (e.g., speech-language pathologist, social worker and occupational therapist) supporting the classroom.  

There will be a total of 15 students in the class who range in age from 3 to 4 years old. Of those 15 students, five of them will have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

District 97 is looking for students who demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills to join our blended classrooms. If you are interested in the program and your child will be between 3 and 4 years of age by Sept. 1, 2024, applications will be posted on the district website starting April 10, 2023. Enrollment is limited. Once the application is complete, you will be contacted to schedule a developmental screening for your child. Acceptance letters will be emailed out at the beginning of August. Once accepted, you will need to register with District 97. There will be a one time fee of $29.00 due upon acceptance.

This early childhood program is located at Whittier Elementary School, 715 N. Harvey Ave. The program follows the District 97 calendar and the daily schedule is listed below.

MONDAY - Friday	A.M. Session - 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.	P.M. Session - 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact the district's early childhood coordinator, Michele Suedbeck, at 708-524-3134.