Notice: Our 2011-2012 Tuition Based Pre-K is full. We are accepting applications for our waitlist.
2012-2013 application is available here.
We are a tuition based preschool program. We are open from 7:30 to 5:30 during the school year, excluding national holidays.
How much does it cost?
Tuition for 2012-2013 is $292.50 per week. This covers breakfast and an afternoon snack. It also covers all enrichment activities and field trips. Our students have done fellowships with Emerald City Theater, Muntu Dance Theate and Old Town School of Folk Music using tuition funds. Parents are responsible for lunch. They can bring it from home or they can buy a school lunch ($2.25). Children in our tution based program are fortunate because they function as members of our school community and attend a “special” class each day. Presently, we have 2 days of gym, and one day of art, music, and art based multicultural studies each week.
How many kids are in the class?
This year we have 20 children in our class. Depending on the time of day we have 2-3 teachers in the room. Our lead teacher has a Master’s in early childhood education and our assistant teachers have early childhood education credits and take classes to further their knowledge and understanding of early childhood development.
What does the typical day look like?
Children arrive anywhere from 7:30-9:00. We ask that all children are here from at least 8:45-1:45 as that is when the bulk of our day is. 1:45 is when we lay down for nap or quiet time, and at that time children will transition into quiet time so it is a nice transition point for children who will be leaving. Not all children need a nap so those who are not sleeping work quietly in the room or leave the room with a teacher. Between 8:45 and 1:45 children will participate in a variety of play-based activities, special classes, and outside time.
What “curriculum” do you use?
We are a play based program. That means we do the majority of our teaching through play. You will not see worksheets, coloring sheets, and whole group academic instruction taking place in our room. If your family is looking for this we are not the program for you. Instead, you will see us engaging children in conversations, supporting their play with props and questioning, and assisting children in solving problems. Because we are an fine arts school, we explore a variety of media to express ourselves each day. Children paint, sculpt, compose, create collage, manipulate photos, build, act etc. each day. We use these experiences to teach. In addition to arts focused work, we also work hard with children on social/emotional skills. We encourage children to solve problems independently, express themselves, and self regulate. Again, we do all of this through play. All preschools in Chicago Public Schools use the Creative Curriculum as a framework to document each child’s growth over their time in preschool.
Who can be in preschool?
Children must be older than 3 but not yet 5 as of September 1. This applies to all preschools in the Chicago Public Schools.
What other preschool programs do you have in your school?
We only have tuition based preschool. Presently. we do not have Head Start,Preschool for All (State Based Pre-K), or 1/2 day tuition based programs.
Can I take a tour?
Yes! Please check the Hamilton School website (www.hamiltoncps.org) for information on our next tour. The school tours spend time in the preschool classroom and you will have an opportunity to talk with our preschool teacher then.
When can I apply for the 2013-2014 year?
We will begin taking applications and deposits for attendance area families and siblings of students already at Hamilton on October 1st, 2012. Families from outside Hamilton’s attendance area may submit applications and deposits on October 15th, 2012 for any remaining spots.
Parents must bring applications and deposits to the school. Please know that only families who turn in applications with deposits will have a spot saved for next year’s class. DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE.